IPC Section 476 — Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents other than those described in section 467, or possessing counterfeit marked material

offences relating to documents and to property marks

Criminal

Summary

This section makes it a crime to fake a security feature—like a stamp, seal, or watermark—that is used to prove a document or electronic record is real, as long as that document is not one of the specific types covered under section 467. It also makes it a crime to possess any material that already has such a fake security feature on it, if you intend to use it to make a forged document look real. The punishment for this offence can be up to seven years in prison, 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 or electronic record other than the documents 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 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)
  • and A4-Crl.OP.No.5084/2019 vs CBI, Special Crimes Branch — Madras High Court (2019)
  • MENON v. D.R. REDDY — Supreme Court of India (1983)
  • 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