BNS Section 269 — Failure by person released on bail bond or bond to appear in Court

CHAPTER XIV OF FALSE EVIDENCE AND OFFENCES AGAINST PUBLIC JUSTICE

Criminal

Punishment

Imprisonment up to 1 year, or fine, or both

As the section puts it: “shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both”

Summary

A person who has been charged with an offence and released on a bail bond or bond, and who fails to appear in Court as required by the terms of that bail or bond, without sufficient cause, is punishable. The burden of proving that there was sufficient cause for the failure lies on that person. The punishment can be imprisonment of either description for up to one year, or a fine, or both.

The Explanation clarifies that this punishment is in addition to any punishment the person would face if convicted of the original offence they were charged with.

Under clause (b) of the Explanation, this punishment is also without prejudice to the Court's power to order forfeiture of the bond.

Official Text

Whoever, having been charged with an offence and released on bail bond or on bond, fails without sufficient cause (the burden of proving which shall lie upon him), to appear in Court in accordance with the terms of the bail or bond, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.

Explanation.—The punishment under this section is—

(a) in addition to the punishment to which the offender would be liable on a conviction for the offence with which he has been charged; and

(b) without prejudice to the power of the Court to order forfeiture of the bond.

Related Judgments

  • Tamilarasan vs The State represented by, The Inspector of Police,, Annamalai Nagar Po — Madras High Court (Principal Bench, Chennai) (2026)
  • 1.Moorthi; 2.Jeyasurya; 3.Kalaiselvan; 4.Dineshkumar vs The State Rep. by, The Inspector of Police,, Pollachi East Police Stat — Madras High Court (Principal Bench, Chennai) (2026)
  • Sivaselvan vs The State represented by, The Inspector of Police,, Kurisillapet Polic — Madras High Court (Principal Bench, Chennai) (2025)
  • 2.Ramathal; 3.Senathipathi; 4.Kandasamy; 5.Chinnammal; 6.Subbayammal; vs The State of Tamil Nadu,, Rep. by the Inspector of Police,, Thennilai — Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) (2026)
  • Dhanush vs State rep. By its, Inspector of Police, Vedaranyam Police Station,, Ve — Madras High Court (Principal Bench, Chennai) (2026)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

  • IPC §229A — Failure by person released on bail bond or bond to appear in Court
  • IPC §264 — Failure by person released on bail bond or bond to appear in Court
  • IPC §265 — Failure by person released on bail bond or bond to appear in Court
  • IPC §266 — Failure by person released on bail bond or bond to appear in Court
  • IPC §267 — Failure by person released on bail bond or bond to appear in Court