IPC Section 477: Fraudulent cancellation, destruction, etc., of will, authority to adopt, or valuable security
Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Chapter 18: Offences relating to Documents and Property Marks
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
¶Whoever fraudulently or dishonestly, or with intent to cause damage or injury to the public or to any person, cancels, destroys or defaces, or attempts to cancel, destroy or deface, or secretes or attempts to secrete any document which is or purports to be a will, or an authority to adopt a son, or any valuable security, or commits mischief in respect of such document, shall be punished with 1[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.
¶_________________________________________________
¶1.Subs. by Act 26 of 1955, s. 117 and the Sch., for “transportation for life” (w.e.f. 1-1-1956).
Study: explanations and related material
Now BNS 343 (same provision). IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28), p22
Official reference: Delhi District & Sessions Judge: government historical reference — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-06-30.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh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. Historical code retained for reference; read the repeal/savings provisions in the successor code.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 463. Forgery
- 464. Making a false document
- 465. Punishment for forgery
- 466. Forgery of record of court or of public register, etc
- 467. Forgery of valuable security, will, etc
- 468. Forgery for purpose of cheating
- 469. Forgery for purpose of harming reputation
- 470. Forged document or electronic record
- 471. Using as genuine a forged document or electronic record
- 472. Making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable under section 467
- 473. Making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable otherwise
- 474. Having possession of document described in Section 466 or 467, knowing it to be forged and intending to use it as genuine
- 475. Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents described in Section 467, or possessing counterfeit marked material
- 476. Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents other than those described in section 467, or possessing counterfeit marked material
- 477A. Falsification of accounts
- 478. Trade marks
- 479. Property mark
- 480. Using a false trade mark
- 481. Using a false property mark
- 482. Punishment for using a false property mark
- 483. Counterfeiting a property mark used by another
- 484. Counterfeiting a mark used by a public servant
- 485. Making or possession of any instrument for counterfeiting a property mark
- 486. Selling goods marked with a counterfeit property mark
- 487. Making a false mark upon any receptacle containing goods
- 488. Punishment for making use of any such false mark
- 489. Tampering with property mark with intent to cause injury
- 489A. Counterfeiting currency-notes or bank-notes
- 489B. Using as genuine, forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes
- 489C. Possession of forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes
- 489D. Making or possessing instruments or materials for forgoing or counterfeiting currency-notes or bank-notes
- 489E. Making or using documents resembling currency-notes or bank-notes