Omission to apprehend, or sufferance of escape, on part of public servant, in cases not otherwise provided for
Full Text
Whoever, being a public servant legally bound as such public servant to apprehend, or to keep in confinement, any person in any case not provided for in section 259, section 260 or section 261, or in any other law for the time being in force, omits to apprehend that person or suffers him to escape from confinement, shall be punished—
(a) if he does so intentionally, with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both; and
(b) if he does so negligently, with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Plain English Summary
Punishes a public servant legally bound to apprehend or confine someone who intentionally (up to 3 years) or negligently (up to 2 years) fails to do so, where no other law specifically provides for it.
Key Legal Elements
- The accused must be a public servant.
- Accused must be legally bound to apprehend or keep in confinement a person.
- The omission or escape must not be covered under BNS Sections 259, 260, or 261.
- The omission/escape must be committed either intentionally or negligently.
Punishment
Intentional: Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both; Negligent: Simple imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both.
Practical Note
This is a residual or 'catch-all' section for public servants who fail in their duty to apprehend or detain people. The prosecution must prove that the accused is a public servant, was legally bound to apprehend/detain the target, and either intentionally or negligently failed to do so or allowed them to escape.
हिंदी पाठ
जो कोई, लोक सेवक होते हुए, जो किसी व्यक्ति को पकड़ने या परिरोध में रखने के लिए ऐसे लोक सेवक के नाते वैध रूप से आबद्ध हो, उस व्यक्ति को किसी ऐसी दशा में, जिसके लिए धारा 259, धारा 260 या धारा 261 में या तत्समय प्रवृत्त किसी अन्य विधि में कोई उपबंध नहीं है, पकड़ने का लोप करेगा या परिरोध में से निकल भागना सहन करेगा, वह दंडित किया जाएगा—
(क) यदि वह साशय ऐसा करे, तो दोनों में से किसी भांति के कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि तीन वर्ष तक की हो सकेगी, या जुर्माने से, या दोनों से; तथा
(ख) यदि वह उपेक्षा से ऐसा करे, तो सादे कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि दो वर्ष तक की हो सकेगी, या जुर्माने से, या दोनों से।