Section 250 IPC: Delivery of Coin Possessed with Knowledge That It Is Altered
Section 250 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 punished fraudulent 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 first becoming possessed of the coin.
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 dealt with circulation or attempted circulation of an altered coin in circumstances involving prior knowledge and fraud. It was not a provision punishing mere possession. The section required an altered coin of the kind covered by Section 246 or Section 248, knowledge of that alteration at the time possession began, and a fraudulent delivery or attempt to induce another person to receive the coin.
Essential Ingredients
- The accused must have a coin in possession.
- An offence defined in Section 246 or Section 248 must have been committed with respect to that coin.
- The accused must have known, at the time of becoming possessed of the coin, that the relevant offence had been committed with respect to it.
- 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 | Fraudulent delivery or attempted delivery of a coin altered under Section 246 or Section 248, with the required prior knowledge |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Why Knowledge at the Time of Possession Matters
The timing of knowledge was an express ingredient. Section 250 required the accused to have known, when becoming possessed of the coin, that an offence under Section 246 or Section 248 had been committed with respect to it. This distinguishes the section from provisions addressing circumstances in which knowledge is acquired only after possession has begun.
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 separately covered delivery or attempted delivery done 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. Accordingly, a coin affected by that offence could fall within Section 250 if the additional requirements concerning prior knowledge, fraudulent intent and delivery were satisfied.
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 covered delivery or attempted delivery of such a coin when its own knowledge and fraud requirements were present.
Section 250 and Section 251 IPC - Difference
Section 250 was the general provision linked to altered coin under Sections 246 and 248 and prescribed imprisonment up to five years plus fine. Section 251 was the aggravated Indian-coin provision linked to Sections 247 and 249 and prescribed imprisonment up to ten years plus fine.
Section 250 and Section 252 IPC - Difference
Section 250 concerned delivery or an attempt to induce another person to receive the altered coin. Section 252 dealt with possession of a coin affected by Section 246 or Section 248 where the possessor had the knowledge and fraudulent purpose specified by that section. The prohibited conduct therefore differed even though both provisions addressed altered coin.
Section 250 and Section 254 IPC - Knowledge at Different Times
Section 250 expressly required knowledge of the alteration when the accused became possessed of the coin. Section 254 dealt with a different situation: the deliverer knew that an operation mentioned in Sections 246 to 249 had been performed, but did not know this when first taking the coin into possession. The timing of knowledge therefore separates the two provisions.
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 defined specified forms of alteration of coin, while Sections 250 to 254 dealt with delivery and possession of altered coin in different factual and mental-state situations.
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.