Breach of contract to attend on and supply wants of helpless person

What this section does

This section penalises a person who is contractually bound to attend to or supply the needs of a helpless person (one who is young, of unsound mind, diseased, or bodily weak) but voluntarily fails to do so. Liability arises from the voluntary omission of a lawful contractual duty of care.

AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).

Quick reference

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description up to 3 months, or fine up to ₹5,000, or both.

Triable by

Any Magistrate

Cognizable

No

Bailable

Yes

Compoundable

No

Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)

1. The accused was bound by a lawful contract to attend on or supply the wants of another person
2. That other person was helpless or incapable of providing for their own safety or wants by reason of youth, unsoundness of mind, disease, or bodily weakness
3. The accused voluntarily omitted to perform that contractual duty

Derived from IPC s.491.