Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 473
repealedMaking or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable otherwise
Whoever makes or counterfeits any seal, plate or other instrument for making an impression, intending that the same shall be used for the purpose of committing any forgery which would be punishable under any section of this Chapter other than section 467, or, with such intent, has in his possession any such seal, plate or other instrument, knowing the same to be counterfeit, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Why this exists
This section mirrors section 472 but applies to tools meant for the ordinary categories of forgery rather than the most serious one, keeping the punishment scaled to how serious the eventual forgery would be. The IPC was repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which now governs these offences.