CrPC Section 466
Section 466 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC) deals with the effect of errors or omissions in charges and how they impact the validity of criminal proceedings. However, to clarify — Section 466 is actually from the Indian Penal Code (IPC), not the CrPC. So let me address both, so there's no confusion.
🔹 Section 466 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)
Title: Forgery of record of court or of public register, etc.
Text of Section 466 IPC:
Whoever forges a document or an electronic record, purporting to be a record or proceeding of a Court of Justice, or a register of birth, marriage or burial, or a register kept by a public servant as such, or a certificate or document purporting to be made by a public servant in his official capacity, or an authority to institute or defend a suit, or to take any proceedings therein, or to confess judgment, or a power of attorney, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
✅ Key Elements of Section 466 IPC:
Offence: Forgery.
Type of Documents Involved:
Judicial records (e.g., court proceedings, judgments).
Public registers (e.g., register of births, deaths, marriages).
Certificates or documents made by public servants in their official capacity.
Power of attorney or authority to act legally on someone’s behalf.
Punishment:
Imprisonment up to 7 years.
Fine (amount not specified; court’s discretion).
Cognizable, non-bailable, and triable by a Magistrate of First Class.
🧠 Meaning and Explanation:
This section punishes the act of forging official or authoritative documents, particularly those that hold legal or public value. The law considers it more serious to forge such documents because they are trusted by the public or the courts.
Examples of forged documents under this section include:
A fake court judgment.
A false birth certificate or marriage register.
A fake power of attorney.
A forged certificate issued in the name of a government official.
Such forgeries can be used to gain legal advantages, commit fraud, or mislead authorities. Therefore, the law imposes stricter penalties compared to ordinary forgery (which is under Section 465 IPC, with lesser punishment).
🧑⚖️ Illustration:
Suppose a person creates a fake divorce decree to claim benefits or remarry. Since this document is purported to be a court record, the person is liable under Section 466 IPC.
Similarly, if someone fakes a birth certificate to claim age-based government benefits or enter government service, they can be charged under this section.
🔹 (Clarification) Section 466 of CrPC?
There is no Section 466 in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) that deals with such matters — the CrPC only has 484 sections.
So if you're referring to Section 466, you're likely referring to the Indian Penal Code (IPC), not CrPC.
🔚 Summary:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Law | Section 466 of IPC |
| Offence | Forgery of court records, public registers, official documents |
| Punishment | Up to 7 years imprisonment + fine |
| Cognizable | Yes |
| Bailable | No |
| Triable By | Magistrate of First Class |
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