Section 431 of CrPC : Section 431: Money ordered to be paid recoverable as a fine.

Explanation using Example

Example 1:

Scenario: Ramesh was convicted of a minor offense and the court ordered him to pay compensation to the victim, Suresh, under Section 359 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. However, Ramesh failed to pay the compensation within the stipulated time.

Application of Section 431: Since the compensation ordered under Section 359 is not a fine, but Ramesh has failed to pay it, the court can recover this amount as if it were a fine. This means the court can use the same methods it would use to recover a fine, such as attaching Ramesh's property or deducting the amount from his salary.

Example 2:

Scenario: Priya was found guilty of defamation and the court ordered her to pay the legal costs incurred by the complainant, Anjali, under Section 359 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Priya did not pay the ordered amount within the given timeframe.

Application of Section 431: Since the payment of legal costs ordered under Section 359 is not a fine, but Priya has not paid it, the court can recover this amount as if it were a fine. This allows the court to employ the same recovery mechanisms used for fines, such as seizing Priya's assets or garnishing her wages.

Example 3:

Scenario: Vijay was convicted of causing a public nuisance and the court ordered him to pay for the cleanup costs under a specific order made under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Vijay ignored the order and did not pay the cleanup costs.

Application of Section 431: The cleanup costs ordered by the court are not classified as a fine, but since Vijay has not complied with the order, the court can recover these costs as if they were a fine. This means the court can take actions like freezing Vijay's bank accounts or auctioning his property to recover the amount.

Example 4:

Scenario: Sunita was found guilty of a traffic violation and the court ordered her to pay compensation to the injured party under Section 359 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Sunita did not make the payment within the deadline.

Application of Section 431: The compensation ordered under Section 359 is not a fine, but since Sunita has not paid it, the court can recover this amount as if it were a fine. This allows the court to use methods such as issuing a warrant for the attachment of Sunita's property or deducting the amount from her bank account.