Section 499 of BNSS : Section 499: Payment to innocent purchaser of money found on accused.

Explanation using Example

Example 1:

Ravi, a shopkeeper in Delhi, unknowingly buys a stolen laptop from a man named Arjun for ₹30,000. Later, Arjun is arrested and convicted of theft. During his arrest, the police recover ₹50,000 from Arjun's possession. Ravi, upon learning that the laptop was stolen, returns it to the rightful owner, Priya. Ravi then applies to the court for compensation. The court, under Section 499 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, orders that ₹30,000 be paid to Ravi from the ₹50,000 recovered from Arjun, as Ravi had bought the laptop without knowing it was stolen.

Example 2:

Sunita, a resident of Mumbai, purchases a gold necklace from a man named Vikram for ₹1,00,000, not knowing that it was stolen. Vikram is later caught and convicted of the theft. The police recover ₹1,50,000 from Vikram at the time of his arrest. Sunita, upon discovering the necklace was stolen, returns it to the original owner, Meera. Sunita then files an application in court for reimbursement. The court, following Section 499 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, orders that ₹1,00,000 be paid to Sunita from the ₹1,50,000 recovered from Vikram, as she had purchased the necklace without any knowledge of it being stolen.