BNS Section 341 — Making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable under section 338

Summary

Sub-section (1) covers a person who makes or counterfeits any seal, plate or other instrument used for making an impression, intending that it will be used to commit a forgery punishable under section 338 of this Sanhita. It also covers a person who, with that same intent, possesses such a seal, plate or other instrument while knowing it to be counterfeit. The punishment for this is imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term up to seven years, along with a fine.

Sub-section (2) covers a person who makes or counterfeits any seal, plate or other instrument for making an impression, intending that it will be used to commit a forgery punishable under any section of this Chapter other than section 338. It also covers a person who, with that same intent, possesses such a seal, plate or other instrument while knowing it to be counterfeit. The punishment for this is imprisonment of either description for a term up to seven years, along with a fine.

Sub-section (3) covers a person who possesses any seal, plate or other instrument while knowing it to be counterfeit. The punishment for this is imprisonment of either description for a term up to three years, along with a fine.

Sub-section (4) covers a person who fraudulently or dishonestly uses as genuine any seal, plate or other instrument while knowing, or having reason to believe, that it is counterfeit. Such a person is punished in the same manner as if he had made or counterfeited that seal, plate or other instrument.

Official Text

(1) Whoever makes or counterfeits any seal, plate or other instrument for making an impression, intending that the same shall be used for the purpose of committing any forgery which would be punishable under section 338 of this Sanhita, or, with such intent, has in his possession any such seal, plate or other instrument, knowing the same to be counterfeit, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

(2) Whoever makes or counterfeits any seal, plate or other instrument for making an impression, intending that the same shall be used for the purpose of committing any forgery which would be punishable under any section of this Chapter other than section 338, or, with such intent, has in his possession any such seal, plate or other instrument, knowing the same to be counterfeit, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

(3) Whoever possesses any seal, plate or other instrument knowing the same to be counterfeit, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.

(4) Whoever fraudulently or dishonestly uses as genuine any seal, plate or other instrument knowing or having reason to believe the same to be counterfeit, shall be punished in the same manner as if he had made or counterfeited such seal, plate or other instrument.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.280 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• INDIA v. VIMAL KUMAR SURANA AND ANOTHER — Supreme Court of India (2010)
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1531 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.9 p.283 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.2 p.80 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.4 p.2730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• IPC §472 — Making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable under section 338
• IPC §467 — Making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable under section 338
• IPC §473 — Making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable under section 338