IPC Section 170 — Personating a public servant

offences by or relating to public servants

Criminal

Punishment

Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both

As the section puts it: “shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both”

Summary

If someone falsely claims to hold a specific government position, knowing they do not actually hold that position, or pretends to be another person who holds that position, and then in that fake role performs or tries to perform any official act, they can be punished with imprisonment for up to two years, or a fine, or both.

Official Text

Whoever pretends to hold any particular office as public servant, knowing that he does not hold such office or falsely personates any other person holding such office, and in such assumed character does or attempts to do any act under colour of such office, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

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