CHAPTER III POWER OF COURTS

Section 24: Sentence of imprisonment in default of fine

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

(1) The Court of a Magistrate may award such term of imprisonment in default of payment of fine as is authorised by law:

Provided that the term—

(a) is not in excess of the powers of the Magistrate under section 23;

(b) shall not, where imprisonment has been awarded as part of the substantive sentence, exceed one-fourth of the term of imprisonment which the Magistrate is competent to inflict as punishment for the offence otherwise than as imprisonment in default of payment of the fine.

(2) The imprisonment awarded under this section may be in addition to a substantive sentence of imprisonment for the maximum term awardable by the Magistrate under section 23.

Corresponding CrPC provision

As given in the correspondence table of the National Crime Records Bureau (Ministry of Home Affairs). Read both texts before relying on it. NCRB table

24	30. Sentence of imprisonment in default of fine.

Questions on this section

1 question in 6 of our papers cite Section 24. Try these from the free papers:

1. A Judicial Magistrate of the first class convicts X of an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and with fine. He sentences X to one year's imprisonment and a fine of twenty thousand rupees. What is the maximum term of imprisonment the Magistrate may award in default of payment of the fine?

Practise questions on Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita