What is the IPC 420?

Asked by: Demetrius Berge  |  Last update: February 17, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (47 votes)

IPC Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code deals with cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property, covering fraud where someone is tricked into giving property or valuable security through false promises, with penalties up to seven years imprisonment and a fine, and has become popular slang for cheaters. It applies when a person makes false representations with a dishonest intent to deceive, causing the victim to part with something valuable.

What is the meaning of IPC 420?

Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.

What evidence is needed for IPC 420?

Proving an IPC 420 case requires: Evidence of Cheating: The prosecution must provide clear evidence that the accused intentionally cheated the complainant. Dishonest Intention: There must be proof of dishonest intention from the beginning of the transaction.

Is Section 420 IPC a bailable offense?

420 IPC is a non-bailable and cognizable offense. This means that bail is in the discretion of the court on the particular facts of each case, and it is not automatically granted.

What is the punishment for IPC 419 and 420?

Description. Whoever cheats by personation shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

When Civil Disputes Become Criminal? | Landmark Supreme Court Judgment | 420/406 IPC

33 related questions found

What is the minimum jail time for a 420 case?

offence under Section 14A/14C the of Foreigners Act, the minimum punishment of which is 2 years and maximum punishment is 8 years and punishment under 420 and 468 of IPC is also 7 years, the.../04/2024 Biswaroop Chowdhury, J.: This is an application under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure filed by the ...

What does IPC stand for?

IPC has several meanings, most commonly Inter-Process Communication (sharing data between computer programs), IPC (Association Connecting Electronics Industries) (standards for electronics), the International Paralympic Committee (governing body for disabled sports), the International Plumbing Code, or Infection Prevention and Control (in healthcare). The specific meaning depends on the context, but the electronics and computing definitions are very common. 

What is the difference between 415 and 420 IPC?

Section 415 of the IPC defines cheating. The penalty for aggravated cheating is outlined in Section 420 when the offender dishonestly persuades the victim who has been deceived to deliver any property or meddle with any valued security. In other words, Section 420 particularly penalises more severe cases of cheating.

What is the Supreme Court decision on section 420?

The Supreme Court recently clarified the legal requirement for the offence of cheating under the Indian Penal Code, specifically noting that to attract the offence, a person must knowingly make a false statement which would induce another "to part with property or to do or omit to do a thing which the victim would not ...

What offences are not bailable?

Common Examples of Non-Bailable Offences

The following are serious crimes classified as non-bailable under Indian law: Murder (Section 302 IPC/Section 103 BNS) - Unlawfully causing death with intention. Attempt to Murder (Section 307 IPC/Section 109 BNS) - Taking steps toward killing someone.

What is the punishment for the victim of the 420 act?

It carries a punishment of up to seven years of imprisonment along with a fine. As a serious and non-bailable provision, it is invoked in cases involving financial fraud, deception, or misrepresentation where an individual fraudulently causes another person to part with property or valuable security.

What are the essentials of cheating?

Overall, the essential ingredients of the offence of cheating in India include deception, fraudulent or dishonest inducement, delivery of property or consent to retain property, and the causation of damage or harm.

What are the ingredients to prove section 420 IPC?

The Supreme Court has consistently held that to establish an offense under Section 420 IPC, the following ingredients must be satisfied: Deception or dishonest concealment of facts. Intention to deceive (mens rea) Inducement of the complainant to act.

What is the equivalent of IPC 420?

At times, Section 420 of IPC (Section 318 of BNS) is added as an offence in a FIR to keep the aspect of money laundering, since cheating is a scheduled offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, and criminal breach of trust under Section 406 of IPC (Section 316 of BNS) is not.

How do you use 420 in a sentence?

The guys at the party were all 420-friendly. the twentieth day of the fourth month, or the time 4:20, when referenced as a day or time for cannabis consumption or the celebration of marijuana culture. The head shop has a big pipe sale every year on 420.

What is the 420 Act now?

In India, Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (before its repeal by introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) dealt with Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property. The maximum punishment was seven years imprisonment and a fine. Section 420 is now Section 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

What is the FIR under Section 420?

yes, an FIR registered under section 420 and 406 can be quashed, but, if the allegations are baseless and without any legal merit. You can approach the Hon'ble High Court and can file a petition to quash your FIR. For further assistance you can contact.

What is the new section in place of 420 IPC?

The Court said that the offence of cheating (S. 420 IPC/S. 318 BNS) involves criminal intention from inception; however, for criminal breach of trust (S. 406 IPC/S.

What is an example of IPC 420?

Example 1:

Believing Ravi, Suresh pays him the ₹50 lakhs. Later, Suresh finds out that the land does not belong to Ravi and that the documents were forged. In this scenario, Ravi has committed an offense under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code by cheating Suresh and dishonestly inducing him to deliver ₹50 lakhs.

What are the legal defenses against Section 420?

Willful and Knowing Conduct: The accused must have acted deliberately, with awareness that they were preventing access. Accidental blockages, lack of knowledge about the easement, or honest mistakes about property boundaries can negate this element.

What is aggravated cheating?

Such aggravated cheating occurs when a person cheats and thereby dishonestly induces the victim to: Hand over property to any person; Partially or completely make, alter or destroy a valuable security* (such as credit cards, stored value cards and automated teller machine (ATM) cards);

What is the punishment of IPC?

The punishments to which offenders are liable under the provisions of this Code are—(First)— Death;(Secondly.) — Imprisonment for life;[***](Fourthly)— Imprisonment, which is of two descriptions, namely:— (1)Rigorous, that is, with hard labour; (2)Simple; (Fifthly)— Forfeiture of property; (Sixthly)— Fine.

What are some examples of IPC offenses?

C. Offenses Affecting Human Body

  • Section 299 – Culpable homicide.
  • Section 300 – Murder.
  • Section 302 – Punishment for murder. Punishment: Death or life imprisonment with fine.
  • Section 304A – Causing death by negligence.
  • Section 307 – Attempt to murder.
  • Section 308 – Attempt to commit culpable homicide.

What are the criticisms of the IPC?

The IPC excluded Israel from the review process, broke its own standards and rules to validate terrorist claims of famine, concealed contradicting data, and ignored Israel's extensive efforts to facilitate the entry of thousands of tons of humanitarian aid.