सं Samvidhan

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 489E

repealed

Making or using documents resembling currency-notes or bank-notes

Whoever makes, or causes to be made, or uses for any purpose whatsoever, or delivers to any person, any document purporting to be, or in any way resembling, or so nearly resembling as to be calculated to deceive, any currency-note or bank-note shall be punished with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees. If any person, whose name appears on a document the making of which is an offence under sub-section (1), refuses, without lawful excuse, to disclose to a police-officer on being so required the name and address of the person by whom it was printed or otherwise made, he shall be punished with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees. Where the name of any person appears on any document in respect of which any person is charged with an offence under sub-section (1) or on any other document used or distributed in connection with that document it may, until the contrary is proved, be presumed that that person caused the document to be made.

Why this exists

The law protects public trust in money by discouraging look-alike currency, such as novelty notes, prop money, or advertisements that mimic real notes closely enough to confuse people. It works alongside the more serious counterfeiting offences elsewhere in the IPC, but covers milder cases of imitation rather than criminal forgery meant to defraud. The IPC itself was repealed and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 from 1 July 2024, which carries forward a similar restriction on currency-like documents.

Common misconceptions
  • Myth: It's fine to print fake notes as long as I don't try to spend them.
    Fact: Simply making or using a note that closely resembles real currency can be punished under this section, even without an intent to spend it as real money.