IPC 264 vs BNS 264
● Retained in BNSFraudulently making or counterfeiting government postage stamp
Section 264 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, deals with the fraudulent making or counterfeiting of government postage stamps. Postage stamps are official instruments used to signify payment for postal services. Counterfeiting them threatens government revenue and postal system integrity.
Key points:
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Applies to any person who knowingly makes or counterfeits postage stamps issued by the government.
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Intention to defraud or deceive is essential.
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Punishment: Imprisonment for life or imprisonment up to 7 years, and fine.
Example: A person creates fake postal stamps to send letters without paying postal fees. IPC 264 ensures strict accountability to protect government revenue and the postal system.
Fraudulently making or counterfeiting government postage stamp
Section 264 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, mirrors IPC 264. It punishes anyone who makes, counterfeits, or attempts to counterfeit government postage stamps with fraudulent intent.
Key points:
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Covers both manufacture and possession for fraudulent purposes.
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Knowledge and intent to defraud are necessary.
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Punishment: Imprisonment for life or imprisonment up to 7 years, and fine.
Example: A criminal prints fake postal stamps to sell them to the public for personal gain. BNS 264 ensures protection of postal revenue and prevents misuse of official stamps.
What changed?
This provision was carried over to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita with substantially the same wording — the section was renumbered from IPC IPC 264 to BNS BNS 264.