IPC Section 491: Breach of contract to attend on and supply wants of helpless person
Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Chapter 19: The Criminal Breach of Contracts of Service
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
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 two hundred rupees, or with both.
CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENCE
Punishment-Imprisonment for 3 months, or fine of 200 rupees, or both-Non-cognizable-Bailable-Triable by any Magistrate-Compoundable by the person with whom the offender has contracted.
Bare act text for reference, current to 30 June 2024. It is not legal advice; check the official gazette for authoritative text.