357. 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.
IPC Section 491 in BNS: Section 357
Breach of contract to attend on and supply wants of helpless person
Section 491 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Breach of contract to attend on and supply wants of helpless person) corresponds to Section 357 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNSS First Schedule, BNS 357 is non-cognizable, bailable, triable by Any Magistrate; punishment: Imprisonment for 3 months, or fine of 5,000 rupees, or both.
Bail, cognizability and punishment
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 357 | Being bound to attend on or supply the wants of a person who is helpless from youth, unsoundness of mind or disease, and voluntarily omitting to do so. | Imprisonment for 3 months, or fine of 5,000 rupees, or both. | Non-cognizable | Bailable | Any Magistrate |
Source: BNSS, 2023, First Schedule, Part I.
The BNS applies to offences committed on or after 1 July 2024. Offences committed earlier are charged and tried under the IPC.
Text of BNS Section 357
Full BNS Section 357 and every IPC section it replaced →
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