Unlawfully taking coining instrument from mint

Q: When did Section 188 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita come into force?

Section 188 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, cited as BNS 188, came into force on 01 Jul 2024, having been enacted on 25 Dec 2023. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

In force From 01 Jul 2024 Act 45 of 2023 As on 15 Oct 2026

Act 45 of 2023 Ministry Home Affairs Enacted 25 Dec 2023 In force 01 Jul 2024

Section 188 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deals with unlawfully taking coining instrument from mint. Whoever, without lawful authority, takes out of any mint, lawfully established in India, any coining tool or instrument, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine. The Act came into force on 01 Jul 2024.

Whoever, without lawful authority, takes out of any mint, lawfully established in India, any coining tool or instrument, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Section 188, The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act 45 of 2023).

Replaces a provision of the Indian Penal Code

IPC 245 Unlawfully taking coining instrument from mint Text carried over almost unchanged 95%

Measured by comparing the text of the two provisions, not taken from an official correspondence table — there is no machine-readable one. See both texts side by side before relying on it.

Both regimes are live. The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force. We never redirect one to the other.

How this offence is classified

From the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which classifies every offence under the Sanhita. Cognizable means a police officer may arrest without warrant; bailable means bail is a matter of right rather than of the court's discretion.

Offence	Punishment	Cognizable	Bailable	Triable by
Unlawfully taking from a Mint any coining instrument.	Imprisonment for 7 years and fine.	Cognizable.	Non-bailable.	Magistrate of the first class.

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Questions about Section 188

What does Section 188 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita deal with?

Section 188 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is headed "Unlawfully taking coining instrument from mint". Whoever, without lawful authority, takes out of any mint, lawfully established in India, any coining tool or instrument, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Is Section 188 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita bailable?

Non-bailable, under the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Is Section 188 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita cognizable?

Cognizable. "Cognizable" means a police officer may arrest without warrant; "non-cognizable" that they may not. An offence under this section is triable by Magistrate of the first class.

How do I find court cases under Section 188 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?

In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: BNS 188, section 188 BNS, section 188 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. People searching for it also type bns 188 1 and bns 188 2. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.

What should I read with Section 188 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and has it changed?

It carries forward IPC 245 (Unlawfully taking coining instrument from mint), so the judgments decided under that provision are the case law on this one.

When did Section 188 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita come into force?

Section 188 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, cited as BNS 188, came into force on 01 Jul 2024, having been enacted on 25 Dec 2023. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

Other sections of this Act

Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.