CrPC 446 — Procedure when bond has been forfeited

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Statutory text

(1) Where a bond under this Code is for appearance, or for
production of property, before a Court and it is proved to the satisfaction of that Court, or of any Court to which the
case has subsequently been transferred, that the bond has been forfeited,
or where, in respect of any other bond under this Code, it is proved to the satisfaction of the Court by which the
bond  was  taken,  or  of  any  Court  to  which  the  case  has  subsequently  been  transferred,  or  of  the  Court  of  any
Magistrate of the first class, that the bond has been forfeited,
the Court shall record the grounds of such proof, and may call upon any person bound by such bond to pay the penalty thereof or to show cause why it should not be paid.
Explanation.—A  condition  in  a  bond  for  appearance,  or  for  production  of  property,  before  a  Court  shall  be
construed  as  including  a  condition  for  appearance,  or  as  the  case  may  be,  for  production  of  property,  before  any

Court to which the case may subsequently be transferred.
(2) If sufficient cause is not shown and the penalty is not paid, the Court may proceed to recover the same as if
such penalty were a fine imposed by it under this Code:

[Provided that  where such penalty is not paid and cannot be recovered in the  manner aforesaid, the person so
bound as surety shall be liable, by order of the Court ordering the recovery of the penalty, to imprisonment in civil jail for a term which may extend to six months.]
(3) The  Court may,

[after recording its reasons  for doing so], remit any portion of the  penalty  mentioned and enforce payment in part only.
(4) Where a surety to a bond dies before the bond is forfeited, his estate shall be discharged from all liability in respect of the bond.
(5) Where any person who has furnished security under section 106 or section 117 or section 360 is convicted
of an offence the commission of which constitutes a breach of the conditions of his bond, or of a bond executed in
lieu of his bond under section 448, a certified copy of the judgment of the Court by which he was convicted of such
offence  may  be  used  as  evidence  in  proceedings  under  this  section  against  his  surety  or  sureties,  and,  if  such
certified  copy  is  so  used,  the  Court  shall  presume  that  such  offence  was  committed  by  him  unless  the  contrary  is proved.

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