Section 341: Making or Possessing Counterfeit Seal, Plate or Device to Commit Forgery

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita • Chapter XVIII: Of Offences Relating to Documents & Property Marks • Official Statutory Text & Legal Guide

Chapter XVIII: Of Offences Relating to Documents & Property Marks
Magistrate 1st Class
Bailable
Cognizable
Formerly Sec 472, 473 IPC

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 341

Section 341 penalises making, counterfeiting, or possessing any seal, plate, or other instrument for making an impression, intending to use it to commit forgery.

  • Counterfeit Die or Seal: Manufacturing, engraving, or possessing rubber stamps, embossed brass seals, or printing plates.
  • Counterfeiting Public or Private Seal: Replicating official court seals, notary stamps, or bank clearance emblems.
  • Specific Forgery Intent: Intending that the instrument shall be used to commit forgery.
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • State of U.P. v. Ram Swarup (1974) 4 SCC 764: Affirmed that possession of counterfeit stamps of judicial magistrates and university registrars establishes criminal liability for facilitating systematic forgery.
  • Babulal v. State of Maharashtra (1993) Supp 3 SCC 419: Reaffirmed severe sentencing for masterminds operating clandestine seal-manufacturing workshops.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

Recover the physical dies, seal engravers, and stamp pads through panchnamas witnessed by independent witnesses under Section 105 BNSS audio-video recording.