Compensation for accusation without reasonable cause.

What this section does

Where a Magistrate discharges or acquits an accused and finds there was no reasonable ground for the accusation, the Magistrate may order the complainant or informant to pay compensation to the accused up to the amount of fine the Magistrate is empowered to impose, with simple imprisonment up to thirty days in default. The order does not exempt the complainant/informant from civil or criminal liability, and any compensation paid is to be set off in any subsequent civil suit on the same matter.

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

Procedure at a glance

Key actors

Magistrate · Complainant · Informant · Accused

Time limit

Default imprisonment not exceeding 30 days; compensation not paid until appeal period (if applicable) lapses or appeal is decided; in non-appealable cases, not before 1 month from the order

Derived from CrPC s.250.