Section 341 of BNS : Section 341: Making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable under section 338.

Explanation using Example

Example 1:

Ravi, a skilled engraver, creates a counterfeit seal that closely resembles the official seal of a prominent Indian university. He intends to use this seal to forge degree certificates for students who are willing to pay a hefty sum for a fake degree. Ravi is caught by the police with the counterfeit seal in his possession. Under Section 341(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Ravi can be punished with imprisonment for life or a term extending up to seven years, and he will also be liable to pay a fine.

Example 2:

Sunita, an employee at a government office, finds a counterfeit stamp that looks like the official stamp used for property registration. She knows it is fake but decides to keep it in her drawer, thinking she might use it someday to help a friend with a property deal. Sunita is later discovered with the counterfeit stamp in her possession. Under Section 341(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Sunita can be punished with imprisonment for a term extending up to three years, and she will also be liable to pay a fine.

Example 3:

Ajay, a businessman, comes across a counterfeit seal that looks like the official seal of the Income Tax Department. He decides to use this seal to create fake tax clearance certificates for his clients to evade taxes. Ajay is aware that the seal is counterfeit but uses it anyway. Under Section 341(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Ajay can be punished in the same manner as if he had made or counterfeited the seal himself, which could result in imprisonment for life or a term extending up to seven years, along with a fine.

Example 4:

Priya, a graphic designer, is approached by a local gang to create a counterfeit seal of a famous jewelry brand. She knows that the seal will be used to forge authenticity certificates for fake jewelry. Priya agrees and creates the seal. Under Section 341(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Priya can be punished with imprisonment for a term extending up to seven years, and she will also be liable to pay a fine.