←
Section 250 — Compensation for accusation without reasonable cause
250
250
Compensation for accusation without reasonable cause
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
Chapter XIX Trial of Warrant-Cases by Magistrates
⚖️
Reviewed by Advocate Aditi Babbar, Seasoned Advocate · Practicing since 31 years
📅 Updated 2026-04-10📚 Source: The Gazette of India
False AccusationCompensationLegal Protection
🗣️ Simple Explanation
What does this law say? Section 250 of the CrPC says that if you are falsely accused of a crime, and the Magistrate thinks there was no good reason for the accusation, the person who made the accusation might have to pay you compensation. The Magistrate can order them to pay a fine. If they don't pay, they could go to jail for up to 30 days.
Why does this law exist? This law discourages people from making false accusations. It protects innocent people from being wrongly accused. It also provides a way for the falsely accused to get some financial relief.
Real-life impact If you are falsely accused, and the case is dismissed, you might receive compensation. This can help cover your legal costs and any trouble the false accusation caused you.
What happens if you break this law? If you make a false accusation without a good reason, you might have to pay compensation to the person you accused. You could also face up to 30 days in jail if you don't pay the compensation.
⚖️ Punishment

Imprisonment up to 30 days for not paying compensation.

💡 Real Life Example

Rahul accuses Amit of UPI fraud. The Magistrate dismisses the case. The Magistrate believes Rahul had no good reason. Rahul is ordered to pay Amit compensation.

Priya falsely accuses Sneha of road rage. The court acquits Sneha. The court orders Priya to pay compensation to Sneha.

Amit accuses a neighbor of a society dispute. The Magistrate finds the accusation baseless. Amit is ordered to pay compensation. If Amit doesn't pay, he could go to jail.

🛡️ KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
  • •Be compensated if falsely accused.
  • •Challenge false accusations.
  • •Understand the reasons for the accusation.
  • •Seek legal help if falsely accused.
  • •Appeal the compensation order if needed.
❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Section 250 of the CrPC deals with compensation for false accusations. If a person is accused of a crime, and the Magistrate believes there was no reasonable ground for the accusation, the Magistrate can order the accuser to pay compensation to the accused. This helps protect people from being falsely accused.
If you make a false accusation without a good reason, you might have to pay compensation to the person you accused. If you fail to pay the compensation, you could face simple imprisonment for a period not exceeding thirty days.
The imprisonment for not paying compensation under Section 250 is simple imprisonment, and it is bailable. The main focus of this section is on the compensation for false accusations, not on the nature of the original crime.
Sources & References

📒 Legal text sourced from The Gazette of India & AdvocateKhoj Bare Acts Library

⚖️ Content reviewed by Advocate Aditi Babbar, Seasoned Advocate, with 31 years of legal practice

📚 Act Reference: Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified advocate for specific legal matters.

WhatsApp
Was this helpful?