Indian Contract Act Section 161 — Bailee’s responsibility when goods are not duly returned

Summary

If the bailee fails to return, deliver, or offer to return the goods at the proper time, and this failure is due to the bailee's own fault, then the bailee becomes responsible to the bailor for any loss, destruction, or deterioration of the goods that happens from that point onward.

Official Text

If, by the default of the bailee, the goods are not returned, delivered or tendered at the proper time, he is responsible to the bailor for any loss, destruction or deterioration of the goods from that time.2

Related Judgments

• GOVERNOR GENERAL IN COUNCIL vs MUSADDI LAL — Supreme Court of India (1961)
• THE TRUSTEES OF THE PORT OF MADRAS BY ITS CHAIRMAN vs K. P. V. SHEIK MOHAMED ROWTHER & CO. AND OTHERS — Supreme Court of India (1962)
• THE TRUSTEES OF THE PORT OF BOMBAY vs THE PREMIER AUTOMOBILES LTD — Supreme Court of India (1980)
• of the Companies Act, 1956, having its registered; office at 404, Abha vs 1. Mumbai Port Trust, a statutory body constituted, ), under the Major — Bombay High Court (Mumbai Principal Seat) (2008)