BNS Section 357 — Breach of contract to attend on and supply wants of helpless person

Summary

Whoever is legally bound by a valid contract to take care of, or provide for the needs of, a person who is helpless because of youth, unsoundness of mind, disease, or bodily weakness, and who voluntarily fails to do so, commits an offence. This applies only when the helpless person is unable to look after their own safety or supply their own wants.

The punishment for this offence is imprisonment of either kind for up to three months, or a fine of up to five thousand rupees, or both.

Official Text

Whoever, being bound by a lawful contract to attend on or to supply the wants of any person who, by reason of youth, or of unsoundness of mind, or of a disease or bodily weakness, is helpless or incapable of providing for his own safety or of supplying his own wants, voluntarily omits so to do, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.8 p.670 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.280 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1531 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.7 p.105 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.6 p.129 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.2 p.80 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• IPC §491 — Breach of contract to attend on and supply wants of helpless person