BACK TO SECTIONS
IPC 1860REPEALED

Section 226-267

Unlawful Return from Transportation; False Statements on Oath; Punishment for Contempt of Lawful Authority; Resistance by Person to Lawful Apprehension; Obstructing Public Servant in Discharge of Functions; Disobedience to Order of Public Servant; Omission to Assist; False Personation in Judicial Proceedings; Fraudulent Claim in Suit; Illegal Purchase at Court Sale; Resistance to Service of Process; Personation at Examination

Replaced by: BNS 266-290

BailableCognizable: Non-Cognizable / Cognizable (varies)Any Magistrate
THE STATUTE

Original Text

Section 229: Whoever, by personation or otherwise, shall intentionally cause, or knowingly suffer himself to be returned, empanelled or sworn as a juryman or assessor in any case in which he knows that he is not entitled by law to be so returned, empanelled or sworn, or knowing himself to be disqualified, serves as a juror or assessor, or knowing that any person is not entitled by law to be so returned, empanelled or sworn... Section 232: Whoever counterfeits, or performs any part of the process of counterfeiting, any coin which is legal tender in India, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Simplified

Sections 226–267 complete the public justice provisions with contempt and obstruction offences. Section 229A (failure to appear in response to proclamation — added in 2005) addresses a growing problem of accused persons who abscond after courts issue proclamations against them. Section 238 (causing disappearance of evidence — same as Section 201, but the two sometimes create confusion) reaffirms the prohibition against evidence destruction. Sections 230–263 address currency counterfeiting — a dedicated and comprehensive framework. Section 232 (counterfeiting legal tender coins) carries life imprisonment, reflecting the state's vital interest in monetary integrity. Sections 255–263 extend similar provisions to stamps, court fees, and revenue stamps. Section 264 (fraudulent use of false instrument for weighing) and Section 267 (fraudulent use of false weight or measure) address commercial fraud in weights and measures.

Legal Evolution

Sections 226-267 constitute the IPC's extensive scheme addressing offences relating to contempt of lawful authority, public servants' misconduct, false statements, and fraudulent use of public instruments. This cluster reflects the colonial government's concern with protecting the integrity of state administration across its many functions — from courts to offices of registration. Courts have applied these provisions to a wide range of conduct from document forgery to impersonation of public officials.

Landmark Precedents

State of West Bengal v. Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights (2010)

(2010) 3 SCC 571
RELEVANCE

False impersonation in court proceedings undermines constitutional due process guarantees — Section 229 is a safeguard for the integrity of judicial proceedings.

Practical Scenarios

"Counterfeiting ₹500 notes and circulating them — Section 489A (life imprisonment)."
"Using false weights at a market stall — Section 264/267."

Common Queries

Section 489A IPC (counterfeiting currency notes) carries life imprisonment or up to 10 years. For coins, Section 232 carries life imprisonment or up to 10 years. These are among the IPC's most severe punishments reflecting the seriousness of monetary system fraud.