Bailabel Type : bailable
Description
Section 464 of the Indian Penal Code deals with the making of false documents. This section criminalizes the act of fabricating documents with the intent to deceive or defraud someone. A false document is one that has been altered, created, or forged to mislead or cause harm, especially with a view to gaining an unfair advantage or causing harm to others.
Description:
Section 464 defines false documents and the act of making them, and it states the following:
False Document:
- A false document is defined as one that:
- Has been forged, i.e., made to look like a genuine document when it is not.
- Is altered in a way that causes misrepresentation of facts.
- Has been created with the intention of deceiving someone by making it appear genuine.
Making a False Document:
- Making a false document refers to creating, altering, or using a document in such a way that it misrepresents the truth. This could include altering existing documents (e.g., changing amounts on cheques), forging signatures, or creating entirely fake documents (e.g., fake contracts, certificates, or financial statements).
Intent to Deceive:
- The person making the false document must have the specific intent to deceive or defraud another person. This intent is a key element in proving the crime of making a false document.
Examples:
- Forging a signature on a contract.
- Creating a fake birth certificate.
- Altering a bank statement to reflect false financial status.
- Falsifying academic qualifications to gain employment.
Punishment
Imprisonment: The offender can be sentenced to up to 2 years of imprisonment.
Fine: A fine may also be imposed, or
Both: The court may impose both imprisonment and fine, depending on the case.
