Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 339
Having possession of document described in section 337 or section 338, knowing it to be
Whoever has in his possession any document or electronic record, knowing the same to be forged and intending that the same shall fraudulently or dishonestly be used as genuine, shall, if the document or electronic record is one of the description mentioned in section 337 of this Sanhita, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; and if the document is one of the description mentioned in section 338, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description, for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Why this exists
Forgers often are not the only ones who cause harm; people who knowingly keep forged documents ready to deploy them are just as dangerous to the public and to potential victims. This section closes that gap by punishing knowing possession of forged official documents or valuable securities with an intent to use them as genuine, with punishment tiers matching the seriousness of the type of document involved.