IPC §64 → BNS §8
Sentence of imprisonment for non-payment of fine
Jump to section
Comparison
64. Sentence of imprisonment for non-payment of fine.—3[In every case of an offence punishable with imprisonment as well as fine, in which the offender is sentenced to a fine, whether with or without imprisonment, and in every case of an offence punishable 4[with imprisonment or fine, or] with fine only, in which the offender is sentenced to a fine.] it shall be competent to the Court which sentences such offender to direct by the sentence that, in default of payment of the fine, the offender shall suffer imprisonment for a certain term, which imprisonment shall be in excess of any other imprisonment to which he may have been sentenced or to which he may be liable under a commutation of a sentence.
(1) Where no sum is expressed to which a fine may extend, the amount of fine to which the offender is liable is unlimited, but shall not be excessive.
(2) In every case of an offence—
(a) punishable with imprisonment as well as fine, in which the offender is sentenced to a fine, whether with or without imprisonment;
(b) punishable with imprisonment or fine, or with fine only, in which the offender is sentenced to a fine,
it shall be competent to the Court which sentences such offender to direct by the sentence that, in default of payment of the fine, the offender shall suffer imprisonment for a certain term, in which imprisonment shall be in excess of any other imprisonment to which he may have been sentenced or to which he may be liable under a commutation of a sentence.
(3) The term for which the Court directs the offender to be imprisoned in default of payment of a fine shall not exceed one-fourth of the term of imprisonment which is the maximum fixed for the offence, if the offence be punishable with imprisonment as well as fine.
(4) The imprisonment which the Court imposes in default of payment of a fine or in default of community service may be of any description to which the offender might have been sentenced for the offence.
(5) If the offence is punishable with fine or community service, the imprisonment which the Court imposes in default of payment of the fine or in default of community service shall be simple, and the term for which the Court directs the offender to be imprisoned, in default of payment of fine or in default of community service, shall not exceed,—
(a) two months when the amount of the fine does not exceed five thousand rupees;
(b) four months when the amount of the fine does not exceed ten thousand rupees; and
(c) one year in any other case.
(6) (a) The imprisonment which is imposed in default of payment of a fine shall terminate whenever that fine is either paid or levied by process of law;
(b) If, before the expiration of the term of imprisonment fixed in default of payment, such a proportion of the fine be paid or levied that the term of imprisonment suffered in default of payment is not less than proportional to the part of the fine still unpaid, the imprisonment shall terminate.
(7) The fine, or any part thereof which remains unpaid, may be levied at any time within six years after the passing of the sentence, and if, under the sentence, the offender be liable to imprisonment for a longer period than six years, then at any time previous to the expiration of that period; and the death of the offender does not discharge from the liability any property which would, after his death, be legally liable for his debts.
What changedAI-inferred
BNS Section 8(2) preserves the rule. The IPC's two-limb conjunction (offences punishable with imprisonment-and-fine; or with imprisonment-or-fine, or fine-only) is restructured as sub-clauses (a) and (b), followed by the same operative direction.
Old position
IPC Section 64 authorised the Court, in fine-bearing offences, to direct in the sentence that the offender suffer imprisonment in default of payment, in excess of any other imprisonment for the offence.
New position
BNS Section 8(2) preserves the rule. The IPC's two-limb conjunction (offences punishable with imprisonment-and-fine; or with imprisonment-or-fine, or fine-only) is restructured as sub-clauses (a) and (b), followed by the same operative direction.
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
IPC Section 64 and BNS Section 8(2) carry the same default-imprisonment authorisation rule. The IPC's two-limb conjunction ("in every case of an offence punishable with imprisonment as well as fine … and in every case of an offence punishable with imprisonment or fine, or with fine only") is preserved in BNS 8(2)(a)/(b). The trailing operative direction (Court may direct imprisonment in default of payment, in excess of any other imprisonment) is character-identical.
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 64 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 8 applies. The transition is governed by the repeal-and-savings clause in the new code (BNS 358 / BNSS 531 / BSA 170 as the case may be); pending proceedings under the old code carry forward in their existing frame.
Frequently asked
BNS Section 8, sub-clause (2). The default-imprisonment authorisation rule is preserved.
Sources
- India Code — Indian Penal Code, 1860 (pending verification)
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — bare act PDF
Cite this page
Newlaws.in, IPC §64 → BNS §8 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-12, https://newlaws.in/ipc/64.
Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01
Not legal advice. Verify against the bare act and consult a qualified advocate for any specific matter.