Section 141 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023: Imprisonment in default of security

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 • Official Statutory Text & Practice Guide

Procedural Law
Statutory Mandate
Competent Criminal Court / Court of Session
Formerly Sec 122 CrPC
Statutory Defined Terms in this Section: (Click any term for official legal definition)

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 141

Section 141 provides that if any person ordered to give security under Section 125 or Section 136 does not give such security on or before the date, they shall be committed to prison, or, if already in prison, be detained until the period expires or security is given.

  • Failure to Furnish Security: Inability or refusal to execute bond with sureties.
  • Commitment to Prison: Committed to prison until the expiration of the period or until security is tendered.
  • Nature of Confinement: Imprisonment for failure to give security for keeping the peace shall be simple; for good behaviour, may be rigorous or simple as directed by the court.
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • Madhu Limaye v. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (1970) 3 SCC 746: The Supreme Court emphasised that imprisonment under Section 122 CrPC (Section 141 BNSS) is not a punishment for a crime, but a coercive civil detention to ensure public security.
  • Moti Ram v. State of M.P. (1978) 4 SCC 47: Warned that poor citizens should not be consigned to prison simply because of poverty and inability to purchase surety bonds.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

Whenever a client is imprisoned under Section 141 for failure to find sureties, immediately move an application under Section 142 BNSS before the Chief Judicial Magistrate or Sessions Judge to reduce the amount or dispense with sureties.