Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter X: Of Offences Relating To Coin, Currency-notes, Bank-notes, And Government Stamps

Section 180 BNS: Possession of forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamp, currency-notes or bank-notes

Corresponding IPC: Section 242, 243, 259, 489C IPC
Punishment: Imprisonment up to 7 years, or fine, or both
Note: Merges possession offences for coin, stamps and notes.

Classification of offence

Section	Cognizable?	Bailable?	Triable by
180	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Court of Session

As per the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Bare Act text

Whoever has in his possession any forged or counterfeit coin, stamp, currency-note or bank-note, knowing or having reason to believe the same to be forged or counterfeit and intending to use the same as genuine or that it may be used as genuine, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

Explanation.—If a person establishes the possession of the forged or counterfeit coin, stamp, currency-note or bank-note to be from a lawful source, it shall not constitute an offence under this section.

Text as enacted in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 45 of 2023), in force from 1 July 2024. Source: India Code, Government of India.

In simple words

Punishes possessing forged or counterfeit coin, stamp, currency note or bank-note, knowing or having reason to believe it forged, with intent to use it as genuine. Proving possession from a lawful source takes it outside the offence.