Library/BNS/Section 261
Section 261BailablePenal

Public servant negligently suffering prisoner to escape

Full Text

Whoever, being a public servant legally bound as such public servant to keep in confinement any person charged with or convicted of any offence or lawfully committed to custody, negligently suffers such person to escape from confinement, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Plain English Summary

Punishes any public servant who negligently allows a person charged with or convicted of an offense, or lawfully committed to custody, to escape from confinement.

Key Legal Elements

  • Accused must be a public servant legally bound to keep the person in confinement.
  • The person must be charged with or convicted of an offence, or lawfully committed to custody.
  • The public servant must have negligently allowed the person to escape.

Punishment

Simple imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both

Practical Note

This section requires proving two elements: first, that the accused is a public servant legally bound to keep the person in confinement; and second, that they acted negligently, enabling the escape. Intent is not required, only negligence.

हिंदी पाठ

जो कोई लोक सेवक होते हुए, ऐसे लोक सेवक के रूप में किसी ऐसे व्यक्ति को, जिस पर किसी अपराध का आरोप हो या जो किसी अपराध के लिए दोषसिद्ध किया गया हो या जो विधिपूर्वक अभिरक्षा में सुपुर्द किया गया हो, परिरोध में रखने के लिए वैध रूप से आबद्ध हो, ऐसे व्यक्ति का परिरोध में से निकल भागना उपेक्षा से सहन करेगा, वह सादे कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि दो वर्ष तक की हो सकेगी, या जुर्माने से, या दोनों से, दंडित किया जाएगा।