ICA Section 159: Restoration of goods bailed, on expiration of time or accomplishment of purpose
Indian Contract Act, 1872 · Chapter 9: Bailment
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159. Restoration of goods lent gratuitously. The lender of a thing for use may at any time require its return, if the loan was gratuitous, even though he lent it for a specified time or purpose. But, if, on the faith of such loan made for a specified time or purpose, the borrower has acted in such a manner that the return of the thing lent before the time agreed upon would cause him loss exceeding the benefit actually derived by him from the loan, the lender must, if he compels the return, indemnify the borrower for the amount in which the loss so occasioned exceeds the benefit so derived.
Official reference: India Code, Legislative Department — checked: 29 September 2026.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 148. "Bailment", "bailor" and "bailee" defined
- 149. Delivery to bailee how made
- 150. Bailor's duty to disclose faults in goods bailed
- 151. Care to be taken by bailee
- 152. Bailee when not liable for loss, etc. of thing bailed
- 153. Termination of bailment by bailee's act inconsistent with conditions
- 154. Liability of bailee making unauthorized use of goods bailed
- 155. Effect of mixture, with bailor's consent, of his goods with bailee's
- 156. Effect of mixture, without bailor's consent when the goods can be separated
- 157. Effect of mixture, without bailor's consent, when the goods cannot be separated
- 158. Repayment, by bailor, of necessary expenses
- 160. Return of goods bailed, on expiration of time or accomplishment of purpose
- 161. Bailee's responsibility when goods are not duly returned
- 162. Termination of gratuitours bailment by death
- 163. Bailor entitled to increase or profit from goods bailed
- 164. Bailor's responsibility to bailee
- 165. Bailment by several joint owners
- 166. Bailee not responsible on re-delivery to bailor without title
- 167. Right of third person claiming goods bailed
- 168. Right of finder of goods may sue for specific reward offered
- 169. When Finder of thing commonly on sale may sell it
- 170. Bailee's particular lien
- 171. General lien of bankers, factors, wharfingers, attorneys, and policy brokers
- 172. "Pledge", "pownor" and "pawnee" defined
- 173. Pawnee's right of retainer
- 174. Pawnee not to retain for debt or promise other than that for which goods pledged: Presumption in case of subsequent advances
- 175. Pawnee's right to extraordinary expenses incurred
- 176. Pawnee's right where pawnor makes default
- 177. Defaulting pawnor's right to redeem
- 178. Pledge by mercantile agent
- 178A. Pledge by person in possession under voidable contract
- 179. Pledge where pawnor has only a limited interest suits by bailors against wrong-doers
- 180. Suit by bailor or bailee against wrong-doer
- 181. Apportionment of relief or compensation obtained by such suits