BNS Section 187
What are the penalties for a mint employee who alters coin weight or composition?
Short answer
They can be imprisoned up to seven years and fined.
In detail
If a person works in a mint that is legally established in India, and they do something or fail to do something that they are legally required to do, with the intention of making a coin that comes out of that mint have a weight or composition that is different from what the law says it should be, the law says that person can be punished. The punishment can be imprisonment for up to seven years and a fine. The law also says that taking a coining instrument from the mint without permission is illegal and is covered by the same section. The key points are that the person must be employed in a mint, must intend to change the coin’s weight or composition, and must do or omit an act that is legally required. If those conditions are met, the law treats it as a serious offence and imposes the stated penalties.
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People also ask
- Can a mint employee be charged for simply failing to check coin weight?
- What is the difference between altering coin weight and taking coining instrument?
- What is the maximum fine for this offence?
Not legal advice. This is general legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case turns on its own facts — speak to a lawyer about your situation.