IPC Section 475 — Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents described in section 467, or possessing counterfeit marked material

Summary

A person who makes a fake version of a seal, stamp, or other authenticating mark on any material, intending it to be used to make a forged document look real, commits an offence. It is also an offence to possess any material that has such a fake authenticating mark on it, with the same intention. The punishment for this offence can be imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for up to seven years, along with a fine.

Official Text

Whoever counterfeits upon, or in the substance of, any material, any device or mark used for the purpose of authenticating any document described in section 467 of this Code, intending that such device or mark shall be used for the purpose of giving the appearance of authenticity to any document then forged or thereafter to be forged on such material, or who, with such intent, has in his possession any material upon or in the substance of which any such device or mark has been counterfeited, 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.

Related Judgments

• DUTT v. STATE — Supreme Court of India (1966)
• MENON v. D.R. REDDY — Supreme Court of India (1983)
• and A4-Crl.OP.No.5084/2019 vs CBI, Special Crimes Branch — Madras High Court (2019)
• DIPAKBHAI JAGDISHCHANDRA PATEL v. STATE OF GUJARAT AND ANOTHER — Supreme Court of India (2019)
• SC (2025) Vol.7 p.573 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• P. JAIN v. S. PRASAD — Supreme Court of India (1973)
• STATE OF KERALA v. MATHAI VERGHESE — Supreme Court of India (1987)
• SARABHAI M. CHEMICALS v. C.C.E., VADODARA — Supreme Court of India (S)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• BNS §342 — Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents described in section 338, or possessing counterfeit marked material