Indian Penal Code, 1860

“Document”.—

Section

29

Punishment

Definition / General Principle / Repealed

Cognizable

N/A

Bailable

N/A

Compoundable

Non-Compoundable (Refer to CrPC 320 for exceptions)

Trial Court

N/A

Bare Act Text

29. “Document”.— The word “document” denotes any matter expressed or described upon any substance by means of letters, figures, or marks, or by more than one of those means, intended to be used, or which may be used, as evidence of that matter.Explanation 1.— It is immaterial by what means or upon what substance the letters, figures or marks are formed, or whether the evidence is intended for, or may be used in, a Court of Justice, or not.IllustrationsA writing expressing the terms of a contract, which may be used as evidence of the contract, is a document.A cheque upon a banker is a document.A power-of-attorney is a document.A map or plan which is intended to be used or which may be used as evidence, is a document.A writing containing directions or instructions is a document.Explanation 2.— Whatever is expressed by means of letters, figures or marks as explained by mercantile or other usage, shall be deemed to be expressed by such letters, figures or marks within the meaning of this section, although the same may not be actually expressed.IllustrationA writes his name on the back of a bill of exchange payable to his order. The meaning of the endorsement, as explained by mercantile usage, is that the bill is to be paid to the holder. The endorsement is a document, and must be construed in the same manner as if the words “pay to the holder” or words to that effect had been written over the signature.
According to the official bare act, this legal offense is defined as: 29. “Document”.— The word “document” denotes any matter expressed or described upon any substance by means of letters, figures, or marks, or by more than one of those means, intended to be used, or which may be used, as evidence of that matter.Explanation 1.— It is immaterial by what means or upon what substance the letters, figures or marks are formed, or whether the evidence is intended for, or may be used in, a Court of Justice, or not.IllustrationsA writing expressing the terms of a contract, which may be used as evidence of the contract, is a document.A cheque upon a banker is a document.A power-of-attorney is a document.A map or plan which is intended to be used or which may be used as evidence, is a document.A writing containing directions or instructions is a document.Explanation 2.— Whatever is expressed by means of letters, figures or marks as explained by mercantile or other usage, shall be deemed to be expressed by such letters, figures or marks within the meaning of this section, although the same may not be actually expressed.IllustrationA writes his name on the back of a bill of exchange payable to his order. The meaning of the endorsement, as explained by mercantile usage, is that the bill is to be paid to the holder. The endorsement is a document, and must be construed in the same manner as if the words “pay to the holder” or words to that effect had been written over the signature.
The punishment for this specific offense is outlined under the law as: Definition / General Principle / Repealed
Under the Indian Penal Code, this specific offense is classified as a N/A offense.
The legal status regarding police arrest without a warrant is that this offense isN/A.
Cases pertaining to this specific IPC section are triable by the N/A.
The compoundable nature of this offense, meaning whether the parties can settle it out of court, is classified as: Non-Compoundable (Refer to CrPC 320 for exceptions).

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