BNS §342
Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents described in section 338, or possessing counterfeit marked material
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Comparison
476. Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents other than those described in section 467, or possessing counterfeit marked material.—Whoever counterfeits upon, or in the substance of, any material, any device or mark used for the purpose of authenticating 3[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.
(1) 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 338, 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. (2) 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 338, 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.
What changedAI-inferred
IPC 476 absorbed into BNS 342(2).
Old position
IPC 476 is concerned with Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents other than those described in section 467, or possessing counterfeit marked material. Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents other than those described in section 467, or possessing counterfeit marked material
New position
BNS 342 preserves the framework with drafting modernisations as required by the new code. Topic: Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents described in section 338, or possessing counterfeit marked material. 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 338, intending that such device or mark shall be used for the purpose of giving
BNS 342 (Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents described in section 338, or possessing counterfeit marked material) preserves the framework of IPC 476. BNS 342 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural...
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
BNS 342 (Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents described in section 338, or possessing counterfeit marked material) preserves the framework of IPC 476. BNS 342 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code.
BNS 342 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 338, 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...
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 476 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 342 applies. The transition is governed by the repeal-and-savings clause in the new code (BNS 358 / BNSS 531 / BSA 170 as the case may be); pending proceedings under the old code carry forward unaffected.
Frequently asked
BNS 342 (Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents described in section 338, or possessing counterfeit marked material). The relationship is classified as substantively_same — see the change-note above for the textual delta.
Sources
- India Code — Indian Penal Code, 1860
- Gazette of India — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Cite this page
Newlaws.in, IPC §476 → BNS §342 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-14, https://newlaws.in/bns/342.
Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01
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