Indian Contract Act Section 168 — Right of finder of goods, may sue for specific reward offered

CHAPTER IX OF BAILMENT

Commercial / Corporate

Summary

A person who finds lost goods cannot sue the owner to recover the costs or trouble they voluntarily spent in preserving the goods or in locating the owner. However, the finder is allowed to keep the goods until the owner pays that compensation.

If the owner has announced a specific reward for the return of the lost goods, the finder can sue the owner to claim that reward. The finder may also hold on to the goods until the reward is actually paid.

Official Text

The finder of goods has no right to sue the owner for compensation for trouble and expense voluntarily incurred by him to preserve the goods and to find out the owner; but he may retain the goods against the owner until he receives such compensation; and, where the owner has offered a specific reward for the return of goods lost, the finder may sue for such reward, and may retain the goods until he receives it.