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Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita

Section 142

Power to release persons imprisoned for failing to give security

Quick Answer Reference: Section 142 BNSS

  • Provision: Section 142 of BNSS
  • Act: Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita
  • Classification: SECURITY FOR KEEPING THE PEACE AND FOR GOOD BEHAVIOUR
  • Jurisdiction: India
  • Summary: This section allows the District Magistrate or Chief Judicial Magistrate to release a person who has been imprisoned for failing to give security. The person can be released without conditions or with conditions that they must accept. If the conditions are not met, the person can be arrested and sent back to prison.
Statutory Content

What does Section 142 of BNSS say?

(1) Whenever the District Magistrate in the case of an order passed by an Executive Magistrate under section 136, or the Chief Judicial Magistrate in any other case is of opinion that any person imprisoned for failing to give security under this Chapter may be released without hazard to the community or to any other person, he may order such person to be discharged. (2) Whenever any person has been imprisoned for failing to give security under this Chapter, the High Court or Court of Session, or, where the order was made by any other Court, District Magistrate, in the case of an order passed by an Executive Magistrate under section 136, or the Chief Judicial Magistrate in any other case, may make an order reducing the amount of the security or the number of sureties or the time for which security has been required. (3) An order under sub-section (1) may direct the discharge of such person either without conditions or upon any conditions which such person accepts: Provided that any condition imposed shall cease to be operative when the period for which such person was ordered to give security has expired. (4) The State Government may prescribe, by rules, the conditions upon which a conditional discharge may be made. (5) If any condition upon which any person has been discharged is, in the opinion of District Magistrate, in the case of an order passed by an Executive Magistrate under section 136, or the Chief Judicial Magistrate in any other case by whom the order of discharge was made or of his successor, not fulfilled, he may cancel the same. (6) When a conditional order of discharge has been cancelled under sub-section (5), such person may be arrested by any police officer without warrant, and shall thereupon be produced before the District Magistrate, in the case of an order passed by an Executive Magistrate under section 136, or the Chief Judicial Magistrate in any other case. (7) Unless such person gives security in accordance with the terms of the original order for the unexpired portion of the term for which he was in the first instance committed or ordered to be detained (such portion being deemed to be a period equal to the period between the date of the breach of the conditions of discharge and the date on which, except for such conditional discharge, he would have been entitled to release), District Magistrate, in the case of an order passed by an Executive Magistrate under section 136, or the Chief Judicial Magistrate in any other case may remand such person to prison to undergo such unexpired portion. (8) A person remanded to prison under sub-section (7) shall, subject to the provisionsof section 141, be released at any time on giving security in accordance with the terms of the original order for the unexpired portion aforesaid to the Court or Magistrate by whom such order was made, or to its or his successor. (9) The High Court or Court of Session may at any time, for sufficient reasons to be recorded in writing, cancel any bond for keeping the peace or for good behaviour executed under this Chapter by any order made by it, and District Magistrate, in the case of an order passed by an Executive Magistrate under section 136, or the Chief Judicial Magistrate in any other case may make such cancellation where such bond was executed under his order or under the order of any other Court in his district. (10) Any surety for the peaceable conduct or good behaviour of another person ordered to execute a bond under this Chapter may at any time apply to the Court making such order to cancel the bond and on such application being made, the Court shall issue a summons or warrant, as it thinks fit, requiring the person for whom such surety is bound to appear or to be brought before it.

Indian StandardSection 142, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita
Bluebook (21st ed.)Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, § 142 (India)
Court Pleading StandardSection 142 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita
Canonical Web linkhttps://nyaya.cloud/acts/bharatiya-nagarik-suraksha-sanhita/142

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Source: Gazette of India (Official Publication)Verify egazette.gov.in ↗
✓ VERIFIED FOR LEGAL ACCURACYReviewed & certified by Advocate Arjun Choudhury (Bar Council ID: D/8734/2015).
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Section Meaning & Purpose

What does Section 142 of BNSS mean?

Plain English Explanation

This section allows the District Magistrate or Chief Judicial Magistrate to release a person who has been imprisoned for failing to give security. The person can be released without conditions or with conditions that they must accept. If the conditions are not met, the person can be arrested and sent back to prison.

Practical Interpretation

In practice, this section is used to review the imprisonment of individuals who have failed to provide security. The District Magistrate or Chief Judicial Magistrate can consider releasing the person if they believe it is safe for the community and the individual. The release can be unconditional or subject to certain conditions.

Core Legal Purpose

The core purpose of this section is to provide a mechanism for reviewing and potentially releasing individuals who have been imprisoned for failing to provide security. This section aims to balance the need to ensure public safety with the need to protect individual rights and freedoms.

Key Legal Elements
  • The District Magistrate or Chief Judicial Magistrate must be of the opinion that the person can be released without hazard to the community or any other person.
  • The person must have been imprisoned for failing to give security under this Chapter.
  • The District Magistrate or Chief Judicial Magistrate must consider whether the person can be released with or without conditions.
  • The State Government may prescribe conditions for conditional discharge.
Practical Example

Practical Example of Section 142 BNSS

Rajesh, a resident of Delhi, was imprisoned for failing to provide security under Section 136. After serving some time, the District Magistrate reviewed his case and decided to release him without conditions. However, Rajesh was required to provide security for the remaining period of his original order. If he failed to do so, he could be arrested and sent back to prison.

Common Questions (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions about Section 142 BNSS

Q: What is the punishment or consequence under Section 142 of BNSS?

This section is a procedural provision and does not prescribe a penal punishment. The consequences of failing to provide security are outlined in other sections of the Act.

Q: Does this section apply to private individuals or public entities?

This section applies to private individuals who have been imprisoned for failing to provide security under this Chapter.

Q: Is an offence under this section bailable or cognizable?

This section is a procedural provision and does not prescribe a penal punishment. Therefore, it is not applicable to determine whether the offence is bailable or cognizable.

People Also Ask (PAA)

Common Questions about Section 142 BNSS

What is Section 142 of BNSS?

Section 142 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) defines and regulates "Power to release persons imprisoned for failing to give security". In plain terms: This section allows the District Magistrate or Chief Judicial Magistrate to release a person who has been imprisoned for failing to give security. The person can be released without conditions or with conditions that they must accept. If the conditions are not met, the person can be arrested and sent back to prison.

What is the punishment under Section 142 of BNSS?

Section 142 of BNSS does not prescribe a specific criminal punishment, or it is a procedural provision.

Is Section 142 of BNSS bailable or non-bailable?

Whether Section 142 of BNSS is bailable or non-bailable depends on the schedule classification.

What are the elements of Section 142 of BNSS?

The essential elements of Section 142 of BNSS are: The District Magistrate or Chief Judicial Magistrate must be of the opinion that the person can be released without hazard to the community or any other person.; The person must have been imprisoned for failing to give security under this Chapter.; The District Magistrate or Chief Judicial Magistrate must consider whether the person can be released with or without conditions..

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