IPC Section 55: Commutation of sentence of imprisonment for life
Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Chapter 3: Punishments
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
¶In every case in which sentence of 1[imprisonment] for life shall have been passed, 2[the appropriate Government] may, without the consent consent of the offender, commute the punishment for imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding fourteen years.
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¶1. Subs. by Act 26 of 1955, s. 117 and the Sch., for “transportation” (w.e.f. 1-1-1956).
¶2. Subs. by the A.O. 1950, for “the Provincial Government of the Province within which the offender shall have been sentenced”. The words in italics were subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “the Government of India or the Government of the place”.
Study: explanations and related material
Now BNS 5(b) (same provision). IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28), p2
Official reference: Delhi District & Sessions Judge: government historical reference — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-06-30.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh legal-currency guarantee. The linked government text is an independent authoritative reference, not certification that this website reproduces the same edition. The source link was checked, not every provision or subsequent amendment. Check commencement notifications, savings and jurisdiction-specific variations separately. Historical code retained for reference; read the repeal/savings provisions in the successor code.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 53. Punishment
- 53A. Construction of reference to transportation
- 54. Commutation of sentence of death
- 55A. Definition of "appropriate Government"
- 56. Sentence of Europeans and Americans to penal servitude
- 57. Fractions of terms of punishment
- 58. Offenders sentenced to transportation how dealt with until transported
- 59. Transportation instead of imprisonment
- 60. Sentence may be (in certain cases of imprisonment) wholly or partly rigorous or simple
- 61. Sentence of forfeiture of property
- 62. Forfeiture of property, in respect of offenders punishable with death, transportation or imprisonment
- 63. Amount of fine
- 64. Sentence of imprisonment for non-payment of fine
- 65. Limit to imprisonment for non-payment of fine, when imprisonment and fine awardable
- 66. Description of imprisonment for non-payment of fine
- 67. Imprisonment for non-payment of fine when offence punishable with fine only
- 68. Imprisonment to terminate on payment of fine
- 69. Termination of imprisonment on payment of proportional part of fine
- 70. Fine levied within six years, or during imprisonment- Death not to discharge property from liability
- 71. Limit of punishment of offence made up of several offences
- 72. Punishment of person guilty of one of several offences, the judgment stating that it is doubtful of which
- 73. Solitary confinement
- 74. Limit of solitary confinement
- 75. Enhanced punishment for certain offences under Chapter XII or Chapter XVII after previous conviction