Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
BNS Section 336
Forgery
In one line
BNS Section 336 deals with forgery and replaces IPC 463 (now 336(1)), IPC 465 (now 336(2)), IPC 468 (now 336(3)), IPC 469 (now 336(4)).
Punishment, bail and court
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 336(2) | Forgery. | Imprisonment for 2 years, or fine, or both. | Non-cognizable. | Bailable. | Magistrate of the first class. |
| 336(3) | Forgery for the purpose of cheating. | Imprisonment for 7 years and fine. | Cognizable. | Non-bailable. | Magistrate of the first class. |
| 336(4) | Forgery for the purpose of harming the reputation of any person or knowing that it is likely to be used for that purpose. | Imprisonment for 3 years and fine. | Cognizable. | Bailable. | Magistrate of the first class. |
Source: First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The punishment column is the Schedule’s summary; the section text below is what prescribes the punishment. Classification decides procedure (arrest, bail as of right, which court), not the result of any particular case.
Bare act text — BNS 336
336. Forgery.
(1) Whoever makes any false document or false electronic record or part of a document or electronic record, with intent to cause damage or injury, to the public or to any person, or to support any claim or title, or to cause any person to part with property, or to enter into any express or implied contract, or with intent to commit fraud or that fraud may be committed, commits forgery.
(2) Whoever commits forgery shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
(3) Whoever commits forgery, intending that the document or electronic record forged shall be used for the purpose of cheating, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
(4) Whoever commits forgery, intending that the document or electronic record forged shall harm the reputation of any party, or knowing that it is likely to be used for that purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.
What changed from the IPC
- IPC 463 → BNS 336(1): Section is included as a sub-section in BNS.
- IPC 463 → BNS 336(1): No other change.
- IPC 465 → BNS 336(2): Section is included as a sub-section in BNS sans heading.
- IPC 465 → BNS 336(2): No other Change.
- IPC 468 → BNS 336(3): Section is included as a sub-section in BNS sans heading.
- IPC 468 → BNS 336(3): No other Change.
- IPC 469 → BNS 336(4): Section is included as a sub-section in BNS sans heading.
- IPC 469 → BNS 336(4): No other Change.
Frequently asked
What was BNS Section 336 in the IPC?
BNS Section 336 (Forgery) replaces Sections 463, 465, 468, 469 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. IPC 463 is now BNS 336(1). IPC 465 is now BNS 336(2). IPC 468 is now BNS 336(3). IPC 469 is now BNS 336(4).
What is the punishment under BNS 336(2)?
Forgery – punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both. Under the First Schedule to the BNSS, 2023 it is non-cognizable and bailable, triable by magistrate of the first class.
What is the punishment under BNS 336(3)?
Forgery for the purpose of cheating – punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine. Under the First Schedule to the BNSS, 2023 it is cognizable and non-bailable, triable by magistrate of the first class.
What is the punishment under BNS 336(4)?
Forgery for the purpose of harming the reputation of any person or knowing that it is likely to be used for that purpose – punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine. Under the First Schedule to the BNSS, 2023 it is cognizable and bailable, triable by magistrate of the first class.
Is BNS 336 bailable?
Bailable: BNS 336(2), 336(4). Non-bailable: BNS 336(3). Bail in a non-bailable offence is at the court's discretion; the classification decides procedure, not the outcome of a particular bail application.
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Nearby BNS sections
- BNS 331 — Punishment for house-trespass or house-breaking
- BNS 332 — House-trespass in order to commit offence
- BNS 333 — House-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint
- BNS 334 — Dishonestly breaking open receptacle containing property
- BNS 335 — Making a false document
- BNS 337 — Forgery of record of Court or of public register, etc
- BNS 338 — Forgery of valuable security, will, etc
- BNS 339 — Having possession of document described in section 337 or section 338, knowing it to be forged and intending to use it as genuine
- BNS 340 — Forged document or electronic record and using it as genuine
- BNS 341 — Making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable under section 338