Indian Contract Act, 1872 · Chapter IX: Of Bailment · Bailments of pledges
Section 173: Pawnee's right of retainer
The pawnee may retain the goods pledged, not only for payment of the debt or the performance of the promise, but for the interest of the debt, and all necessary expenses incurred by him in respect of the possession or for the preservation of the goods pledged.
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 15 October 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 173
- Ptc India Financial Services Limited v. Venkateswarlu Kari and Another
- Central Bank of India v. Siriguppa Sugars & Chemicals Ltd. & Ors.
- O. Konavalov v. Commander, Coast Guard Region and Ors.
- Standard Chartered Bank and Anr. Etc. v. Custodian and Another Etc.
- Karnataka Pawn Brokers Asson. and Ors. Etc. v. State of Karnataka and Ors.