Breach of contract to attend on and supply wants of helpless person
Full Text
Whoever, being bound by a lawful contract to attend on or to supply the wants of any person who, by reason of youth, or of unsoundness of mind, or of a disease or bodily weakness, is helpless or incapable of providing for his own safety or of supplying his own wants, voluntarily omits so to do, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
Plain English Summary
Penalizes the voluntary omission of a contractual duty to care for or supply the needs of a helpless person (due to youth, illness, or mental/bodily weakness) with up to 3 months imprisonment, a fine up to Rs. 5,000, or both.
Key Legal Elements
- Existence of a lawful contract to attend on or supply the wants of a person
- The person must be helpless due to youth, unsoundness of mind, disease, or bodily weakness
- Voluntary omission by the offender to perform the contract
- Punishment of imprisonment up to 3 months, fine up to Rs. 5,000, or both
Punishment
Imprisonment up to 3 months, fine up to Rs. 5,000, or both
Practical Note
CRITICAL COMPARISON: BNS Section 357 corresponds directly to Section 491 of the IPC (breach of contract to attend on helpless person). The only difference is that the maximum fine has been raised from Rs. 200 in the IPC to Rs. 5,000 under BNS, while the imprisonment term remains unchanged at up to 3 months.
हिंदी पाठ
जो कोई किसी ऐसे व्यक्ति की, जो युवावस्था या मानसिक अस्वस्थता, या किसी बीमारी या शारीरिक कमजोरी के कारण असहाय या अपनी सुरक्षा करने या अपनी आवश्यकताओं की पूर्ति करने में असमर्थ है, सेवा करने या उसकी आवश्यकताओं की पूर्ति करने के लिए कानूनी अनुबंध द्वारा बाध्य होते हुए, स्वेच्छा से ऐसा करने का लोप करेगा, वह किसी एक अवधि के लिए कारावास से, जिसे तीन महीने तक बढ़ाया जा सकता है, या जुर्माने से, जो पांच हजार रुपये तक का हो सकेगा, या दोनों से दंडित किया जाएगा।