IPC Section 480
📖 Section 480 IPC – Presenting false certificate, or false mark, with intent to defraud
This section deals with falsely presenting documents or certificates with the intent to cheat or defraud someone.
🔹 Textual Meaning
Whoever fraudulently or dishonestly presents any certificate, mark, or token as genuine, knowing it to be false, with the intent to cause damage or injury to any person, commits an offence under this section.
🔹 Key Ingredients of Section 480 IPC
Fraudulent or dishonest intent
The act must be done intentionally to deceive.
Mistaken presentation without intent is not punishable.
False certificate, mark, or token
Certificate: e.g., educational certificate, medical certificate, or any official document.
Mark: e.g., official seal, stamp, or emblem.
Token: e.g., identification card, token used for exchange of goods, or permit.
Presentation as genuine
The accused pretends the document or mark is real.
Example: showing a fake school mark sheet to get admission.
Intent to cause damage or injury
The purpose must be to cheat, defraud, or cause loss to another person.
Mere possession of a false certificate without presenting it does not attract Section 480.
🔹 Punishment
Imprisonment: Up to 7 years.
Fine: May also be imposed.
Note: If the act also falls under other IPC sections like cheating (Section 420) or forgery (Sections 463–471), those can apply simultaneously.
📌 Example Scenarios
A person presents a fake medical certificate to get leave from work.
If the employer suffers loss due to this fraud, Section 480 can apply.
A student presents a forged mark sheet to a college to gain admission.
Knowledge of forgery + intent to gain admission = offence under Section 480.
A person uses a counterfeit stamp of a government office to get a license.
Both forgery and Section 480 apply, because the counterfeit mark is presented as genuine with intent to cheat.
🔹 Purpose
To protect individuals and institutions from fraud caused by false documents or marks.
To deter forgery and fraudulent use of certificates or official signs.
✅ In short:
Section 480 IPC punishes anyone who fraudulently presents a false certificate, mark, or token as genuine with intent to defraud, with imprisonment up to 7 years, fine, or both.
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