Section 250 IPC: Delivery of Coin Possessed with Knowledge That It Is Altered
Section 250 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 punished delivery, or attempted delivery, of a coin affected by an offence under Section 246 or Section 248 where the accused knew of that alteration when becoming possessed of the coin and acted fraudulently or with intent that fraud may be committed.
Section 250 IPC - Statutory Provision
Whoever, having coin in his possession with respect to which the offence defined in section 246 or 248 has been committed, and having known at the time when he became possessed of such coin that such offence had been committed with respect to it, fraudulently or with intent that fraud may be committed, delivers such coin to any other person, or attempts to induce any other person to receive the same, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Meaning of Section 250 IPC
Section 250 was not a mere-possession offence. It targeted the fraudulent delivery or attempted delivery of an altered coin where the accused already knew, at the time possession began, that the coin had been altered in a manner covered by Section 246 or Section 248.
Essential Ingredients
- The accused must have a coin in possession.
- An offence under Section 246 or Section 248 must have been committed with respect to that coin.
- The accused must have known of that fact when becoming possessed of the coin.
- The accused must act fraudulently or with intent that fraud may be committed.
- The accused must deliver the coin to another person or attempt to induce another person to receive it.
Punishment and Classification Before BNS
| Offence | Delivery or attempted delivery of coin altered under Section 246 or 248, with prior knowledge and fraudulent intent |
|---|---|
| Punishment | Imprisonment of either description for a term up to 5 years and fine |
| Cognizable | Yes |
| Bail | Non-bailable |
| Triable by | Magistrate of the first class |
| Compoundable | No |
Knowledge at the Time Possession Began
The timing of knowledge was an express ingredient. Section 250 required knowledge, when the accused became possessed of the coin, that the relevant offence under Section 246 or Section 248 had already been committed with respect to it. This distinguishes the provision from Section 254, which addressed later-acquired knowledge.
Meaning of Fraudulently
Section 25 IPC provided that a person does a thing "fraudulently" if the person does that thing with intent to defraud, but not otherwise. Section 250 also expressly covered conduct undertaken with intent that fraud may be committed.
Section 246 Referred to in Section 250
Section 246 punished fraudulently or dishonestly performing on any coin an operation that diminished its weight or altered its composition. A coin affected by that offence could therefore form the subject of Section 250 where the additional requirements of knowledge, fraudulent intent and delivery or attempted delivery were established.
Section 248 Referred to in Section 250
Section 248 punished performing on any coin an operation altering its appearance with the intention that the coin should pass as a coin of a different description. Section 250 applied to delivery or attempted delivery of such an altered coin when its own knowledge and fraud requirements were met.
Section 250 and Section 251 IPC - Difference
Section 250 was the general altered-coin delivery provision linked to Sections 246 and 248 and carried imprisonment up to five years plus fine. Section 251 concerned the corresponding Indian-coin offences under Sections 247 and 249 and carried the higher maximum term of ten years plus fine.
Section 250 and Section 252 IPC - Difference
Section 250 required delivery to another person or an attempt to induce another person to receive the altered coin. Section 252 instead punished the specified fraudulent possession itself, where the possessor knew of the alteration when possession began.
Section 250 and Section 254 IPC - Difference
Section 250 required knowledge of the relevant alteration at the time the accused became possessed of the coin. Section 254 addressed delivery or attempted passing where the person did not know of the alteration when first taking possession but acquired that knowledge later.
Related IPC Provisions
Section 250 formed part of Chapter XII of the IPC concerning offences relating to coin and Government stamps. Sections 246 to 249 dealt with specified alterations of coin, while Sections 250 to 254 addressed delivery and possession under different knowledge and intent requirements.
Official Legal Sources
For authoritative statutory text and the procedural classification applicable immediately before BNS implementation, consult the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 through India Code.