Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with the offence of cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property. It is one of the most commonly invoked provisions in cases of fraud, financial deception, and breach of trust. This section is widely known in both legal and public spheres due to its relevance in safeguarding individuals and institutions from dishonest practices.
Ingredients of offence under Section 420 IPC
To successfully establish an offence under Section 420 IPC, certain key ingredients must be proven beyond reasonable doubt. These include:
- Deception by the accused: The accused must have deceived the victim.
- Fraudulent or dishonest inducement: The deception must lead to a fraudulent or dishonest inducement.
- Delivery of property or valuable security: The victim must have delivered property, valuable security, or something of value based on the inducement.
- Dishonest intention at the time of inducement: The intention to cheat must exist at the very beginning of the transaction.
These elements together form the legal foundation for prosecuting individuals under this section.