What is Article 284 of Indian Constitution – Defination & Meaning

Article 284: Custody of suitors’ deposits and other moneys received by public servants and courts All moneys received by or deposited with — (a) any officer
📅 Part XII – Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits
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Article Number

284

part

Part XII – Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits

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Active

Bare Acts Text

Article 284: Custody of suitors’ deposits and other moneys received by public servants and courts

  • All moneys received by or deposited with —
    • (a) any officer employed in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a State in his capacity as such, other than revenues or public moneys raised or received by the Government of India or the Government of the State, as the case may be, or
    • (b) any court within the territory of India to the credit of any cause, matter, account or persons,
  • shall be paid into the public account of India or the public account of State, as the case may be.
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Full Definition & Explanation

Article 284 of the Indian Constitution deals with the custody of deposits made by individuals in courts or with public servants. This article ensures that any money received or deposited by officers or courts is handled in a secure manner. It mandates that such funds, except for public revenue, must be transferred to the public account of India or the relevant state public account. This means that any money involved in legal matters or handled by government officials is accounted for properly. This article mainly affects public servants and court officials who manage funds on behalf of citizens. For instance, if someone deposits money related to a legal case, that money is not kept with the individual officer but instead goes into a centralized public account. This system helps in reducing the risk of misuse or mismanagement of funds by ensuring transparency and accountability in handling money. The article does not apply to money that is considered public revenue, which is dealt with separately under different provisions. In real-world terms, Article 284 has major implications for how the judicial system manages monetary transactions. For example, when a court collects fees or deposits for litigation, this money must be properly accounted for and transferred to the public accounts. This helps in fostering trust among the public regarding the integrity of the judicial process. By ensuring that these funds are safely deposited, the article enhances the overall efficiency of financial operations within the public service and judicial framework.

Historical Context

This article ensures that any money received or deposited by officers or courts is handled in a secure manner. It mandates that such funds, except for public revenue, must be transferred to the public account of India or the relevant state public account. This means that any money involved in legal matters or handled by government officials is accounted for properly. This article mainly affects public servants and court officials who manage funds on behalf of citizens. Article 284 of the Indian Constitution deals with the custody of deposits made by individuals in courts or with public servants. For instance, if someone deposits money related to a legal case, that money is not kept with the individual officer but instead goes into a centralized public account.

Key Features

– Article 284 covers money received by public servants and courts.
– It mandates that such funds be placed in public accounts.
– Public revenue is excluded from the provisions of this article.
– This article promotes accountability in managing public funds.
– Transparency is emphasized in the handling of deposits and money.

Importance & Impact

– Guarantees secure handling of all deposits made in legal cases by citizens.
– Ensures public trust in the financial processes used by courts and officials.
– Mitigates the risk of financial misconduct by public officials handling funds.
– Facilitates accurate accounting and management of money by relevant authorities.
– Supports a transparent judicial system accessible to all citizens in India.

Sample UPSC Question

Which of the following statements about Article 284 of the Indian Constitution is correct? A) It deals exclusively with public revenue management. B) It mandates depositing certain funds into public accounts. C) It applies only to private individuals. D) It has been significantly amended since 1950. Explain your choice and discuss the implications of Article 284.? Analyze these options carefully in light of the constitutional distribution of legislative and executive powers.

Answer

The correct answer is B. Article 284 requires that money received by public servants or courts must be deposited into public accounts. This ensures accountability and transparency in financial operations. Other options are incorrect because A misrepresents the focus, C overlooks the broader application, and D is false as there have been no amendments.

Key Takeaways

✓ Article 284 ensures secure handling of deposits by public servants.
✓ It mandates funds be deposited in public accounts for accountability.
✓ Promoting transparency in money management fosters public trust.
✓ The article does not apply to public revenue, ensuring clarity.
✓ Accountability is a core principle in all financial operations.

FAQs

Article 284 covers funds received by public servants and courts, excluding public revenue. It ensures that money deposited for legal matters is properly accounted for and safeguarded. For example, when a person deposits a fee for court proceedings, that money is not handled individually but is transferred to a public account to maintain transparency.

Article 284 is major for citizens as it protects their deposits in court and ensures accountability. It builds trust in the judicial system by promoting transparency in financial dealings. Citizens can be assured that their money related to legal matters is handled securely and is less likely to be misused by officials.

For example, when a court collects fees or deposits for litigation, this money must be properly accounted for and transferred to the public accounts. This helps in fostering trust among the public regarding the integrity of the judicial process. By ensuring that these funds are safely deposited, the article enhances the overall efficiency of financial operations within the public service and judicial framework.

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