What Is BNS Section 347?

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 - Section 347: Counterfeiting a Property Mark

(1) Whoever counterfeits any property mark used by any other person shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

(2) Whoever counterfeits any property mark used by a public servant, or any mark used by a public servant to denote that any property has been manufactured by a particular person or at a particular time or place, or that the property is of a particular quality or has passed through a particular office, or that it is entitled to any exemption, or uses as genuine any such mark knowing the same to be counterfeit, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Brief Detail

BNS Section 347 addresses the offense of counterfeiting property marks and specifies the penalties based on whether the mark belongs to a private individual or a public servant.

Question & Answers

Q1: What constitutes counterfeiting a property mark under Section 347?

A1: Counterfeiting involves creating a false property mark used by another person or public servant with the intent to deceive.

Q2: What are the penalties for counterfeiting a property mark?

A2: For counterfeiting a property mark used by a private individual, the penalty can be imprisonment for up to two years, or a fine, or both. For counterfeiting a property mark used by a public servant, the penalty can be imprisonment for up to three years and a fine.

Q3: What is the significance of using a public servant's property mark?

A3: Public servant's property marks often indicate official approval, quality, or compliance, and counterfeiting such marks can undermine trust in public institutions.

Q4: Can someone be punished if they unknowingly use a counterfeit property mark?

A4: The law focuses on the knowledge of counterfeiting; therefore, if a person genuinely does not know the mark is counterfeit, they may not be held liable under this section.

Example

If a person creates a fake stamp that mimics a public servant's mark indicating a product's authenticity, this act would constitute counterfeiting a property mark under this section.

Summary

Section 347 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita deals with the crime of counterfeiting property marks, establishing clear penalties depending on the nature of the mark and the intended use.