IPC Section 170: Personating a public servant
Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Chapter 9: Offences by or related to Public Servants
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
Whoever pretends to hold any particular office as a public servant, knowing that he does not hold such office or falsely personates any other person holding such office, and in such assumed character does or attempts to do any act under colour of such office, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENCE
Punishment-Imprisonment for 2 years, or fine, or both-Cognizable-Non-bailable-Triable by any Magistrate-Non Compoundable.
Bare act text for reference, current to 30 June 2024. It is not legal advice; check the official gazette for authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 161. Repealed
- 162. Repealed
- 163. Repealed
- 164. Repealed
- 165. Repealed
- 165A. Repealed
- 166. Public servant disobeying law, with intent to cause injury to any person
- 166A. (Punishment for non recording of information)
- 166B. Punishment for non treatment of victim
- 167. Public servant farming an incorrect document with intent to cause injury
- 168. Public servant unlawfully engaging in trade
- 169. Public servant unlawfully buying or bidding for property
- 171. Wearing garb or carrying token used by public servant with fraudulent intent