Section 420 of The Indian Penal Code (IPC)

420. Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.— Whoever cheats and thereby dishonestly induces the person deceived to deliver any property to any person, or to make, alter or destroy the whole or any part of a valuable security, or anything which is signed or sealed, and which is capable of being converted into a valuable security, 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 420 IPC is basically the same as Section 318(4) BNS.

Section 420 IPC
Section 420 IPC

Explanatory note:


Multiple Choice Questions for the AIBE Exams

Q1. What is the maximum punishment under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code?

A. 3 years imprisonment and fine
B. 5 years imprisonment and fine
C. 7 years imprisonment and fine
D. Life imprisonment

✅ Answer: C. 7 years imprisonment and fine
Explanation: Section 420 IPC provides for imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and also makes the person liable to fine.

Q2. Which of the following elements are essential for the offence under Section 420 IPC?

A. Mere breach of contract
B. Dishonest inducement and cheating
C. Loss of property without inducement
D. Intention to defame

✅ Answer: B. Dishonest inducement and cheating
Explanation: Section 420 IPC requires cheating and dishonestly inducing the deceived person to deliver property or alter/destroy a valuable security.

Q3. Under Section 420 IPC, the offence is committed when:

A. A person forgets to return borrowed money
B. A person unintentionally causes loss
C. A person dishonestly induces another to deliver property
D. A person refuses to perform a contract

✅ Answer: C. A person dishonestly induces another to deliver property
Explanation: The key ingredient is dishonest inducement after cheating, leading the victim to deliver property or alter/destroy a valuable security.

Q4. Which of the following is not required to constitute an offence under Section 420 IPC?

A. Intention to deceive
B. Delivery of property
C. Use of physical force
D. Dishonest inducement

✅ Answer: C. Use of physical force
Explanation: Section 420 deals with cheating and dishonest inducement, not physical force. It is a non-violent economic offence.

Q5. “Valuable security” in Section 420 IPC refers to:

A. Gold or jewellery
B. Any document which can be legally enforced
C. Any movable property
D. Electronic gadgets

✅ Answer: B. Any document which can be legally enforced
Explanation: A valuable security is defined under Section 30 IPC and refers to a document creating or extinguishing a legal right.

Q6. Section 420 IPC is classified as a:

A. Bailable and non-cognizable offence
B. Non-bailable and non-cognizable offence
C. Bailable and cognizable offence
D. Non-bailable and cognizable offence

✅ Answer: D. Non-bailable and cognizable offence
Explanation: Cheating under Section 420 IPC is considered a serious offence, and is therefore cognizable (police can arrest without warrant) and non-bailable.

Q7. Which of the following is an example of an offence under Section 420 IPC?

A. Not paying electricity bill
B. Selling fake gold as real gold knowingly
C. Failing to attend a court hearing
D. Causing hurt to someone

✅ Answer: B. Selling fake gold as real gold knowingly
Explanation: This involves cheating and dishonest inducement to deliver money/property based on false representation.

Q8. To prosecute someone under Section 420 IPC, which of the following must be proved?

A. Mere breach of contract
B. Criminal intention at the time of inducement
C. Post-transaction failure
D. Civil liability

✅ Answer: B. Criminal intention at the time of inducement
Explanation: For Section 420 IPC, intention to cheat must exist at the very beginning of the transaction, not developed later.

Q9. Under Section 420 IPC, the inducement must result in:

A. Emotional distress
B. Civil liability
C. Delivery of property or alteration of valuable security
D. Mere inconvenience

✅ Answer: C. Delivery of property or alteration of valuable security
Explanation: The section clearly states that cheating must lead to delivery of property or making, altering, destroying valuable security.

Q10. Which of the following is a correct pair?

A. Section 415 – House trespass
B. Section 420 – Dishonestly inducing delivery of property
C. Section 441 – Cheating
D. Section 379 – Criminal breach of trust

✅ Answer: B. Section 420 – Dishonestly inducing delivery of property
Explanation: Section 420 deals specifically with cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property. Other options are mismatched.