IPC Section 238 — Import or export of counterfeits of the Indian coin

Summary

If a person brings into India or sends out of India any fake coin that they know or have reason to believe is a counterfeit of official Indian currency, they can be punished with life imprisonment or up to ten years in jail, and may also have to pay a fine.

Official Text

Whoever imports into India, or exports there from, any counterfeit coin, which he knows or has reason to believe to be a counterfeit of Indian coin, shall be punished with Imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Related Judgments

• S.C.R. 358 NIKESH TARACHAND SHAH v. UNION OF INDIA & ANR — Supreme Court of India (2017)
• SC (1956) Vol.1 p.506 — Supreme Court of India (1956)
• STATE OF KERALA v. MATHAI VERGHESE — Supreme Court of India (1987)
• DIPAKBHAI JAGDISHCHANDRA PATEL v. STATE OF GUJARAT AND ANOTHER — Supreme Court of India (2019)
• ...Petitioner vs K.P.S.Jayachandran — Madras High Court (2006)
• ... Petitioner vs 1. State by — Madras High Court (2018)
• DELHI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY v. MRS. VIJA YA C. GURSHANEY AND ANR. AUGUST 26, 2003 B — Supreme Court of India (S)
• SC (2025) Vol.10 p.131 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• BNS §179 — Using as genuine, forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamp, currency-notes or bank-notes