What Is BNSS Section 469?

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 - Section 469: Period of Detention Undergone by Accused to Be Set Off Against Sentence of Imprisonment

Where an accused person has, on conviction, been sentenced to imprisonment for a term, not being imprisonment in default of payment of fine, the period of detention, if any, undergone by him during the investigation, inquiry, or trial of the same case and before the date of such conviction, shall be set off against the term of imprisonment imposed on him on such conviction, and the liability of such person to undergo imprisonment on such conviction shall be restricted to the remainder, if any, of the term of imprisonment imposed on him:

  Provided that in cases referred to in section 476, such period of detention shall be set off against the period of fourteen years referred to in that section.

Brief Detail

Section 469 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, states that if an accused person is sentenced to imprisonment after conviction, any period of detention they have already served during the investigation or trial will be deducted from their total sentence. This means that the individual will only need to serve the remaining time of their sentence after accounting for the detention already undergone. Special provisions apply to cases outlined in section 476.

Question & Answers

Q1: What happens to the period of detention undergone by an accused person?

A1: The period of detention undergone during the investigation, inquiry, or trial is set off against the term of imprisonment imposed after conviction.

Q2: When is the provision for setting off the period of detention applicable?

A2: This provision is applicable when the accused is sentenced to imprisonment for a term, excluding imprisonment for default of payment of fine.

Q3: How does the period of detention affect the total sentence?

A3: The liability to undergo imprisonment is limited to the remainder of the term after deducting the period of detention already served.

Q4: Are there any special provisions for certain cases?

A4: Yes, in cases referred to in section 476, the period of detention shall be set off against the fourteen years mentioned in that section.

Example

1. Standard Case: An accused sentenced to five years of imprisonment has already spent one year in detention during the trial. They will only need to serve four more years of their sentence.
2. Default Payment Exclusion: An accused sentenced to three years for a crime, but who had been in detention for six months, will serve an additional two and a half years after the detention is accounted for.
3. Special Provision Scenario: An individual is sentenced to fourteen years but has served two years in detention prior to conviction. In a case referenced in section 476, this person will not serve additional time beyond the fourteen years.

Summary

Section 469 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, provides a mechanism for reducing the total imprisonment time for convicted individuals by considering any prior detention during their legal proceedings. This ensures that the time already served is accounted for, allowing for a fair assessment of the remaining sentence.