IPC Section 263A. Prohibition of fictitious stamps

Category of Bare Act Name of the Act Year of Promulgation
Criminal Laws Indian Penal Code 1860
Act Number Enactment Date Chapter Number
45 06.10.1860 12
Chapter Title Sub-Chapter Legislated by
Of Offences Relating To Coin and Government Stamps - Parliament of India

1(1) Whoever

(a) makes, knowingly utters, deals in or sells any fictitious stamp, or knowingly uses for any postal purpose any fictitious stamp, or

(b) has in his possession, without lawful excuse, any fictitious stamp, or

(c) makes or, without lawful excuse, has in his possession any die, plate, instrument or materials for making any fictitious stamp,

shall be punished with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees.

(2) Any such stamp, die, plate, instrument or materials in the possession of any person for making any fictitious stamp 2[may be seized and, if seized] shall be forfeited.

(3) In this section “fictitious stamp” means any stamp falsely purporting to be issued by Government for the purpose of denoting a rate of postage, or any facsimile or imitation or representation, whether on paper or otherwise, of any stamp issued by Government for that purpose.

(4) In this section and also in sections 255 to 263, both inclusive, the word “Government”, when used in connection with, or in reference to any stamp issued for the purpose of denoting a rate of postage, shall, notwithstanding anything in section 17, be deemed to include the person or persons authorized by law to administer executive government in any part of India, and also in any part of Her Majesty's dominions or in any foreign country.

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1. Added by Act 3 of 1895, s. 2.

2. Subs. by Act 42 of 1953, s. 4 and the Third Sch., for “may be seized and”.

Offence Description Punishment provided Cognizable/Non-Cognizable
Fictitious stamps. Fine of 200 rupees. Cognizable
Bailable/Non-Bailable Trial Court Details Compoundable/Non-Compoundable
Bailable Any Magistrate Non-Compoundable
Compoundable by Whom Concerned Ministry Concerned Department
Non-Compoundable Ministry of Home Affairs Department of Internal Security