Section 187 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
Section 187 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 addresses the offense committed by individuals employed in government mints who intentionally alter the weight or composition of coins beyond the legally prescribed standards.
📜 Text of Section 187
Section 187
Whoever, being employed in any mint lawfully established in India, does any act, or omits what he is legally bound to do, with the intention of causing any coin issued from that mint to be of a different weight or composition from the weight or composition fixed by law, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine
⚖️ Key Elements of the Offense
Employment in a Lawfully Established Mint: The individual must be employed in a government-approved mint in India.
Intentional Act or Omission: The person must intentionally perform an act or omit a duty that leads to the alteration of a coin's weight or composition
Deviation from Legal Standards: The alteration must result in the coin differing from the weight or composition prescribed by law.
🛡️ Purpose and Importance
This provision aims to maintain the integrity of the nation's currency system by ensuring that coins are produced according to legal specifications. It serves to prevent economic offenses such as debasement or counterfeiting, thereby protecting public trust in the currency.
📌 Example
An employee at a government mint intentionally reduces the silver content in a batch of coins to misappropriate the precious metal. Such an act would be punishable under Section 187 of the BNS, 2023.
🔄 Comparison with Indian Penal Code (IPC)
Section 187 of the BNS, 2023 mirrors Section 244 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, which also deals with the offense of altering the weight or composition of coins by mint employees. Both sections prescribe similar penalties, reflecting the seriousness with which such offenses are regarded.
In summary, Section 187 of the BNS, 2023, criminalizes intentional alterations in the weight or composition of coins by employees in government mints, aiming to uphold the integrity of the nation's currency system.
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