# 302, 324, 420, 489-F: what the numbers mean

> Each FIR number is a section of the Pakistan Penal Code: 302 is qatl-i-amd, 324 attempt to murder, 420 cheating for property, 489-F a bounced cheque. And for sentence maths, section 57 counts life imprisonment as 25 years.

- Topic: Criminal law
- For: Citizens
- A 12-slide carousel: https://failegal.site/media/302-324-420-489-f-what-the-numbers-mean-firnumbers
- Published by FAI Legal on 2026-11-14

## Life in prison counts as 25 years.

When a court works out part of a sentence. PPC section 57.

> "In calculating fractions of terms of punishment, imprisonment for life shall be reckoned as equivalent to imprisonment for twenty-five years." (Pakistan Penal Code · Section 57)

## 302: qatl-i-amd.

Intentional murder. Three possible sentences.

- **Death as qisas** Clause (a).
- **Death or life as ta'zir** Clause (b): when the proof for qisas is not available.
- **Up to 25 years** Clause (c): where qisas does not apply.

## 324: attempt to murder.

No one has to die for 324 to apply.

- **The act** Done with the intent that would make it qatl-i-amd if death followed.
- **Punishment** Up to 10 years, and fine.
- **Someone hurt?** Plus the punishment for that hurt.

## 420: cheating.

Why people say "char sau bees".

- **The act** Cheating someone into handing over property or a valuable security.
- **Punishment** Up to 7 years, and fine.

## 489-F: the bounced cheque.

Section 489-F, PPC.

> "Whoever dishonestly issues a cheque towards repayment of a loan or fulfilment of an obligation which is dishonoured on presentation, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years or with fine, or with both ..." (Pakistan Penal Code · Section 489-F)

## The twist in 489-F.

The burden is on the person who wrote the cheque.

- **His defence** He had arranged with his bank that the cheque would be honoured.
- **And** The bank was at fault in not honouring it.
- **Who proves it** He does. The section says so.

## Quick quiz. Which number?

Guess first, then swipe for the answer.

- **A. 302**
- **B. 420**
- **C. 489-F**

## Answer: B. 420.

Cheating, and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.

- **Not 302** No one was killed.
- **Not 489-F** Unless he also gave you a cheque that bounced.

## The board to keep.

And life counts as 25 years in sentence maths (s.57).

- **302** Qatl-i-amd: death, life, or up to 25 years.
- **324** Attempt to murder: up to 10 years, and fine.
- **420** Cheating for property: up to 7 years, and fine.
- **489-F** Bounced cheque: up to 3 years, or fine, or both.

## A number on your FIR?

Ask FAI what it means and what comes next.

- **My brother's FIR says 324. What does that mean?**
- **Is 489-F bailable, and what is the punishment?**

## Sources

- Pakistan Penal Code · Section 57: Fractions of terms of punishment
- Pakistan Penal Code · Section 489-F: Dishonestly issuing a cheque

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Educational legal information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation. Review status: Pending advocate review.

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