IPC 244 → BNS 187: Mint Employee Offence

Quick Summary: IPC 244 vs BNS 187

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, in force since 1 July 2024, has replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860. IPC 244 (Mint Employee Offence) is one of the IPC's offences relating to coin, stamps, weights and measures. Counterfeiting of coin and government stamps and the use of false weights and measures are preserved in the BNS, so mint employee offence continues as BNS 187, frequently overlapping with special economic-offence statutes.

What did IPC 244 cover?

IPC 244 dealt with mint employee offence — person employed in mint causing coin to be of different weight or composition from that fixed by law. Until 30 June 2024, every FIR and criminal trial for this offence was registered and prosecuted under this provision of the Indian Penal Code 1860.

BNS 187: What changed in the new law?

No major change. From 1 July 2024, new complaints relating to mint employee offence are filed under BNS Section 187, while cases registered earlier continue under the old IPC provision as per the saving clause of the BNS.

Punishment under BNS 187

Same - Up to 7 years

Practical implications for advocates, police & citizens

• Advocates: Confirm whether the mint employee offence matter proceeds under BNS 187 or a special law on currency and stamps before advising on bail and forum.
• Police officers: Seize and exhibit the counterfeit or false instrument; the mint employee offence offence is registered under BNS 187.
• Law students & citizens: Knowingly dealing in counterfeit currency or rigged weights — the conduct behind mint employee offence — is an offence even if you were not the maker.