Indian criminal law | Updated 28 October 2026

IPC Section 68: Imprisonment Ends on Payment of Fine - BNS Section 8(6)(a)

Where a court orders imprisonment specifically in default of payment of a fine, that default imprisonment must end when the fine is paid in full or recovered through lawful process. The former rule in Section 68 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 is now contained in Section 8(6)(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Current legal position: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 came into force on 1 July 2024. IPC provisions remain relevant to earlier offences and proceedings subject to the applicable repeal, savings and transition rules. Always check the date of the offence and the governing law.

What did IPC Section 68 provide?

Section 68 - Imprisonment to terminate on payment of fine:

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.

The provision addressed default imprisonment, meaning a term ordered because a sentenced person did not pay a fine. It did not automatically cancel a separate substantive prison sentence imposed for the offence.

Corresponding law: BNS Section 8(6)(a)

Section 8(6)(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 retains the rule that imprisonment imposed for non-payment of a fine ends once the fine is fully paid or recovered by legal process. Section 8 is titled Amount of fine, liability in default of payment of fine, etc.

Read the enacted text in the official Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (India Code PDF).

Meaning of important legal expressions

Imprisonment in default of payment of fine

A custodial term specified by the sentencing court to apply if the fine is not paid. It is distinct from any independent imprisonment imposed as punishment for the offence.

Fine paid

The amount due under the fine is discharged by payment in accordance with the court's directions and applicable procedure.

Levied by process of law

The fine is recovered through a legally authorised recovery procedure rather than voluntary payment. Once the entire fine has been lawfully recovered, the default imprisonment must terminate.

How does the rule operate?

Practical example

Suppose a court imposes a fine of Rs. 5,000 and orders one month of imprisonment if the fine is not paid. If the entire Rs. 5,000 is paid or lawfully recovered while the person is serving that default term, the default imprisonment ends. If the judgment also imposed a separate substantive prison term, that separate term is unaffected merely by paying the fine.

BNS Section 8(2) concerns the court's power to order imprisonment in default of a fine; Section 8(3) limits its duration in cases punishable with imprisonment and fine; Section 8(5) addresses fine-only or community-service offences; Section 8(6)(b) concerns proportional partial payment; and Section 8(7) addresses recovery of unpaid fines.

For historical provisions, see IPC Section 64, IPC Section 67, IPC Section 69 and IPC Section 70.

Frequently asked questions

Does payment of the fine always mean release from prison?

No. It terminates the imprisonment imposed solely in default of payment of that fine, not a separate substantive sentence or another lawful detention.

Can a fine recovered by the authorities end default imprisonment?

Yes. Full recovery by a legally authorised process has the same effect under BNS Section 8(6)(a).

Is IPC Section 68 still the current section number?

For offences governed by the BNS, the corresponding provision is Section 8(6)(a). IPC Section 68 remains relevant where the former Code governs under applicable savings and transitional rules.

Official source

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 - Act 45 of 2023 (India Code). Refer to the applicable criminal procedure law and sentencing order for payment, recovery and release formalities.

This article provides general legal information. The terms of the sentence, governing legislation and any other detention orders determine the outcome in an individual case.