BNS Section 339: Having possession of a document described in section 337 or section 338, knowing it to be forged and intending to use it as genuine
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter 18: Of Offences Relating to Documents and to Property Marks - Of property marks
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¶339. Whoever has in his possession any document or electronic record, knowing the same to be forged and intending that the same shall fraudulently or dishonestly be used as genuine, shall, if the document or electronic record is one of the description mentioned in section 337 of this Sanhita, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; and if the document is one of the description mentioned in section 338, 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.
Study: explanations and related material
Replaces IPC 474. IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28)
Punishment, bail and trial
339Having possession of a document, knowing it to be forged, with intent to use it as genuine; if the document is one of the description mentioned in section 337.
- Punishment
- Imprisonment for 7 years and fine.
- Cognizable or not
- Cognizable
- Bailable or not
- Bailable
- Triable by
- Magistrate of the first class
339If the document is one of the description mentioned in section 338.
- Punishment
- Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for 7 years and fine.
- Cognizable or not
- Non‑cognizable
- Bailable or not
- Bailable
- Triable by
- Magistrate of the first class
Source: BNSS First Schedule, Gazette of India, 25 December 2023, p. 186. The Schedule gives the substance of the section, not its full definition, and a State may have amended the classification for its territory. See it in the full First Schedule
Official reference: Ministry of Home Affairs: Gazette text, 25 December 2023 — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-07-01.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh legal-currency guarantee. The linked government text is an independent authoritative reference, not certification that this website reproduces the same edition. The source link was checked, not every provision or subsequent amendment. Check commencement notifications, savings and jurisdiction-specific variations separately.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 335. Making a false document
- 336. Forgery
- 337. Forgery of the record of a Court or of a public register, etc
- 338. Forgery of a valuable security, will, etc
- 340. Forged document or electronic record and using it as genuine
- 341. Making or possessing a counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable under section 338
- 342. Counterfeiting a device or mark used for authenticating documents described in section 338, or possessing counterfeit marked material
- 343. Fraudulent cancellation, destruction, etc., of a will, authority to adopt, or valuable security
- 344. Falsification of accounts
- 345. Property mark
- 346. Tampering with a property mark with the intent to cause injury
- 347. Counterfeiting a property mark
- 348. Making or possession of any instrument for counterfeiting a property mark
- 349. Selling goods marked with a counterfeit property mark
- 350. Making a false mark upon any receptacle containing goods