Back to Penal Code 1871

Section history

Section 255 — Counterfeiting a Government stamp

As in force on 30 November 2008.

Timeline 5 versions
  1. 30 March 1987 Enacted
  2. 1 February 2008 Act 51 of 2007
  3. 30 November 2008 Revised edition
  4. 31 December 2021 Revised edition
  5. 17 August 2026 Latest
Revised edition in force 30 November 2008

The text below is this provision as reproduced in the Revised Edition that came into force on this date. A revised edition consolidates the law without changing its substance, so editorial amendments — such as renumbering, updated citations and formatting — may have been made but are not shown as a redline.

255.Counterfeiting a Government stamp

Whoever counterfeits, or knowingly performs any part of the process of counterfeiting, any stamp issued by the Government for the purpose of revenue, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Explanation.—A person who counterfeits by causing a genuine stamp of one denomination to appear like a genuine stamp of a different denomination commits this offence.

[Indian PC 1860, s. 255]

Pursuant to section 39(1) of the Stamp Duties (Amendment) Act 1999 (Act 33 of 1999), any reference to a Government stamp or stamp in sections 255 to 262 of the Penal Code (Cap. 224) shall be read as including a reference to a stamp certificate issued under the Stamp Duties Act (Cap. 312) as amended by the Stamp Duties (Amendment) Act 1999.