BNS Section 319
What are the penalties for cheating by pretending to be someone else?
Short answer
Cheating by personation can lead to up to five years' imprisonment, a fine, or both.
In detail
Section 319 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 defines "cheating by personation" as any act where a person cheats by pretending to be another person, by knowingly substituting one person for another, or by claiming that he or someone else is a different person than they really are. The offence applies whether the person being pretended is real or imaginary, and the law gives examples such as pretending to be a banker or a deceased individual. If a person is found guilty of this offence, the law allows the court to impose imprisonment of up to five years, a fine, or a combination of both. The section does not limit the punishment to any specific type of property or transaction; it covers all fraudulent deeds and dispositions of property that involve personation.
Related questions
What actions are defined as 'hurt' under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?
Hurt means causing bodily pain, disease, or infirmity to any person.
Can a husband be forced to financially support his wife, children, or parents if he refuses?
Yes, a magistrate can order him to pay a monthly allowance and enforce it with fines or up to one month in jail.
If I accidentally hurt a consenting adult during a game, can I be criminally liable?
No, you are not criminally liable if the act was not intended to cause death or serious injury and the adult gave consent.
Can I defend myself even if it might harm a child nearby?
Yes, the law permits you to use private defence even if it risks harming an innocent person during a deadly assault.
People also ask
- Can a person be charged for personation if they use a fake name?
- What is the difference between personation and fraud?
- Is there a separate penalty for personation involving a deceased person?
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.