Non-liability of employer of agent to do a criminal act
Chapter 11: Agency
Where one person employs another to do an act which is criminal, the employer is not liable to the agent, either upon an express or an implied promise, to indemnify him against the consequences of that Act1.
Illustrations.
(a) A employs B to beat C, and agrees to indemnify him against all consequences of the act. B thereupon beats C, and has to pay damages to C for so doing. A is not liable to indemnify B for those damages. (b)B, the proprietor of a newspaper, publishes, at A‟s request, a libel upon C in the paper, and A agrees to indemnify B against the consequences of the publication, and all costs and damages of any action in respect thereof. B is sued by C and has to pay damages, and also incurs expenses. A is not liable to B upon the indemnity.
The Indian Contract Act, 1872 (Act No. 9 of 1872). From the updated text on India Code, with later amendments. Being checked against the official copy; amendment notes are not shown yet.
Related sections
- 221Agent‟s lien on principal‟s property
- 222Agent to be indemnified against consequences of lawful acts
- 223Agent to be indemnified against consequences of acts done in good faith
- 225Compensation to agent for injury caused by principal‟s neglect
- 226Enforcement and consequences of agent‟s contracts
- 227Principal how far bound, when agent exceeds authority