BNSS · Section 142 · Chapter IX — SECURITY FOR KEEPING THE PEACE AND FOR GOOD BEHAVIOUR

Power to release persons imprisoned for failing to give security.

What this section does

The District Magistrate (for orders under section 136) or Chief Judicial Magistrate (in other cases) may release a person imprisoned for failing to give security if satisfied there is no hazard to the community, and may impose conditions on such discharge. The High Court, Court of Session, District Magistrate, or Chief Judicial Magistrate may also reduce the amount of security, number of sureties, or duration. If conditions of discharge are breached, the person may be arrested without warrant and remanded to prison for the unexpired portion of the term.

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

Procedure at a glance

Key actors: District Magistrate · Chief Judicial Magistrate · High Court · Court of Session · Police officer · State Government

Old-law correspondence

Derived from CrPC s.123.

Read the official text

For the binding statutory text of BNSS Section 142, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.

Why this matters

BNSS Section 142 forms part of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.