Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter XXXV: Provisions As to Bail and Bonds
Section 481: Bail to require accused to appear before next Appellate Court
In plain words
Before the trial ends or the appeal is decided, the court must require the accused to sign a bond or bail bond to appear before the higher court whenever it issues notice on an appeal or petition against the judgment. The bond lasts six months, and is forfeited if they fail to appear.
A simplified explanation, prepared with AI assistance from the official text below and checked automatically against it for numbers and cross-references. The official text is the law and prevails over this summary. Not legal advice.
Official text
(1) Before conclusion of the trial and before disposal of the appeal, the Court trying the offence or the Appellate Court, as the case may be, shall require the accused to execute a bond or bail bond, to appear before the higher Court as and when such Court issues notice in respect of any appeal or petition filed against the judgment of the respective Court and such bond shall be in force for six months.
(2) If such accused fails to appear, the bond stand forfeited and the procedure under section 491 shall apply.
Corresponding sections were matched by comparing the wording of both official texts, and for the IPC and BNS, also against a published correspondence table. Wording, punishments and structure often changed, so read both sections before relying on the match.
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 12 September 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.
Supreme Court judgments citing the section 481
No Supreme Court judgment in our database cites this section yet.