Legal Provisions of Section 246 of Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Fraudulently or dishonestly diminishing weight or altering composition of coin:
This section punishes fraudulent or dishonest diminishing of weight or altering of composition of coin. The section says that whoever, either fraudulently or dishonestly, performs any operation on any coin which either diminishes its weight or alters its composition, shall be punished with simple or rigorous imprisonment for a term extending up to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
The section requires that fraudulent or dishonest intention on the part of the accused must be established with which any operation on any coin must be performed. The effect of such operation must be either diminishing of the weight of the coin or alteration in its composition. It has been clarified through the explanation attached to the section that where a person creates a cavity in a coin by scooping out part of the coin and puts anything else into it alters the composition of it and is, therefore, guilty of the offence.
The offence under this section is cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable, and is triable by magistrate of the first class.
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