Library/BNS/Section 258
Section 258BailablePenal

Commitment for trial or confinement by person having authority who knows that he is acting contrary to law

Full Text

Whoever, being in any office which gives him legal authority to commit persons for trial or to confinement, or to keep persons in confinement, corruptly or maliciously commits any person for trial or to confinement, or keeps any person in confinement, in the exercise of that authority knowing that in so doing he is acting contrary to law, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

Plain English Summary

Penalizes an authorized public officer who corruptly or maliciously commits someone to trial/confinement, or keeps them in confinement, knowing they are acting contrary to law. Punishable by up to seven years of imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Key Legal Elements

  • The accused holds an office giving legal authority to commit or keep persons in trial/confinement
  • Accused committed or kept a person in trial/confinement
  • Accused acted corruptly or maliciously
  • Accused knew they were acting contrary to law

Punishment

Up to 7 years imprisonment, fine, or both.

Practical Note

Often cited in civil rights and police abuse cases where officers execute unlawful arrests, illegal detentions, or malicious prosecutions knowing they lack legal grounds. This is a bailable, non-cognizable offence triable by a Magistrate of the First Class.

हिंदी पाठ

जो कोई किसी ऐसे पद पर होते हुए, जो उसे व्यक्तियों को विचारण के लिए या परिरोध में भेजने का, या व्यक्तियों को परिरोध में रखने का विधिक प्राधिकार देता हो, किसी व्यक्ति को विचारण के लिए या परिरोध में भ्रष्टतापूर्वक या विद्वेषपूर्वक भेजेगा, या किसी व्यक्ति को परिरोध में ऐसे प्राधिकार के प्रयोग में यह जानते हुए रखेगा कि ऐसा करने में वह कानून के विपरीत कार्य कर रहा है, वह दोनों में से किसी भांति के कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि सात वर्ष तक की हो सकेगी, या जुर्माने से, या दोनों से, दंडित किया जाएगा।