Section 149

Section 149 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, states that 'an agent has authority, in case of an emergency, to do all such acts as a person of ordinary prudence would do under similar circumstances.' This means that an agent has the authority to take necessary steps in an emergency, even if it is not within his express or implied authority. The section emphasizes the importance of an agent acting with ordinary prudence in an emergency, as an agent's actions are binding on the principal only to the extent of his authority. The courts have interpreted this section to mean that an agent's authority in an emergency is limited to acts that are necessary to prevent harm or injury to the principal or his property.