The KARNATAKA PAWNBROKERS ACT, 1961

Karnataka · state statute

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THE KARNATAKA PAWNBROKERS ACT, 1961
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Statement of Object and Reasons
Sections :
1. Short title, extent and commencement.
2. Definitions.
3. Pawn-broker to obtain licence.
4. Grant and renewal of licences.
4A. Conditions of licence.
4B. Forfeiture of security.
5. Pawnbrokers to exhibit their names over shops, etc.
6. Interest and charges allowed to pawnbrokers.
7. Pawn-ticket to be given to pawner.
8. Person producing pawn-ticket presumed to be entitled to redeem the pledge.
9. Protection of owners and of pawners not having pawn-tickets.
10. Pawnbrokers to keep books, give receipts, etc.
11. Redemption of pledge.
12. Sale of pledge and inspection of sale book.
13. Liability of pawnbroker in case of fire.
14. Compensation for depreciation of pledge.
15. Pawn-broker advancing smaller amount or receiving higher interest than that
specified in accounts to be punishable.
16. Certain other acts of pawn-brokers to be punishable.
16A. Pawnbroker to redeem pledges.
17. Certain acts of pawners to be punishable.

18. General penalty for contravention of Act, etc.
18A. Settlement of disputes by Ombudsperson
18B. Grievances redressal forum
18C. Authorized Officer
19. Jurisdiction to try offences.
19A. Offences by Hindu undivided Family, Companies etc.
20. Certain offence to be cognizable.
21. Contract of pawn to be void in certain cases and not to be void in certain other
cases.
22. Power to make rules.
23. Savings.
24. Repeal.

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS
I
Act 13 of 1962. —The Madras Pawnbrokers Act, 1943 is in force in the Madras
Area, Pawnbrokers in other areas are regulated by the existing Money -Lenders Acts
in force in the respective areas. After a careful consideration , it was, however,
noticed that provisions to be made for pawnbrokers are not the same as those for
money-lenders and hence, it has been considered desirable to enact a separate
legislation for regulation and control of pawnbrokers in this State.
Hence this Bill.
(Obtained from L.C. No. 3221 dated 21 st March, 1959. Published in PART IV -2-A
at page 141.)
II
Amending Act 29 of 1979. —The Karnataka Pawnbrokers Act 1961, which was
brought into force from 29th day of March, 1962 has revealed in the course of

working that certain Pawnbrokers are in the habit of pledging with Commercial Banks
the articles pledged with them for securing monetary accommodation and that the
money so taken is being utilised by them in their money lending transactions for
which high rate of interest are being charged. It has become, therefore necessary to
amend the relevant provision of the Act, so that the said practice adopted by the
Pawnbrokers could be brought within the purview of the provisions of the Act.
Hence the Bill.
(Published in the Karnataka Gazette (Extraordinary) Part IV -2A, dated 3 rd
February 1979 at page. 5.)
III
Amending Act 40 of 1985. —Persons who obtain credit from the licensed Pawn
Brokers, pledge costly gold ornaments and other articles. It is considered nece ssary
to insist security deposit from such licensed Pawn Brokers to safeguard the interests
of the Pawners.
In order to meet the increasing cost of administration of the Act, it is also proposed
to increase the license fee.
As the matter was very urgent, the Karnataka Pawn Brokers (Amendment
Ordinance, 1985 (Karnataka Ordinance No. 12 of 1985) was issued.
This Bill seeks to replace the said Ordinance.
(Published in the Karnataka Gazette (Extraordinary) Part IV -2A, dated 25 th July
1985 as No. 398 at page 6.)
IV
Amending Act 9 of 1998. —It is considered necessary to amend the Karnataka
pawn Brokers Act, 1961 (Karnataka Act 13 of 1962), for the following reasons,
namely:—
(i) To enhance the duration of licence from one year to five years;
(ii) To provide for calculating the amount of security deposit on the amounts invested
and not on the amounts lent.

(iii) Since, the Karnataka High Court in writ petition No. 8912/85 and other connected
matters directed the Government to pay interest on security deposit, as there is
no specific provision prohibiting payment of interest, appropriate provisions are
made to remove the lacuna retrospectively from 31 st May 1985 and to validate
the section.
Hence the Bill.
(Published in the Karna taka Gazette (Extraordinary) Part IV -2A, dated 2 nd
September 1997 as No. 990 at page. 4.)
V
Amending Act 11 of 2016. - It is considered necessary to amend the
Karnataka Pawn Brokers Act, 1961 (Karnataka Act No 13 of 1962) to,-
(i) simplify the licensing process for Pawn Broking and to avoid dual license.
(ii) revise the minimum value for auction of pledged pawn or articles
according to present money value.
Hence, the Bill.
[L.A. Bill No.06 of 2016, File No. Samvyashae 10 Shasana 2016]
[entry 30 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India.]
VI
Amendment Act 18 of 2025 :- It is considered necessary to amend the
Karnataka Pawn Brokers Act, 1961 (Karnataka Act No 13 of 1962) to protect
economically vulnerable groups and individuals from the undue hardship usurious
interests rates and coercive means of recovery by licensed money lender and
unlicensed money lender.
Hence, the Bill
[L.A. Bill No. 02 of 2025, File No. SAMVYASHAE 07 SHASANA 2025]
[Entry 30 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India.]
[Published in Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary No.190 in part-IVA
dated: 25.03.2025]

1[KARNATAKA ACT]1 No. 13 OF 1962
(First published in the 1[Karnataka Gazette]1 on the Twenty-ninth day of March,
1962.)
THE 1[KARNATAKA]1 PAWNBROKERS ACT, 1961.
(Received the assent of the President on the Eighth day of March, 1962)
(As amended by Karnataka Acts 29 of 1979, 40 of 1985, 9 of 1998, 11 of 2016 and
18 of 2025)
An Act to regulate and control the business of Pawnbrokers in the 1[State of
Karnataka]1.
WHEREAS it is expedient to make provision for the regulation and control of the
business of pawnbrokers in the 1[State of Karnataka]1;
BE it enacted by the 1[Karnataka State] 1 Legislature in the Twelfth Year of the
Republic of India as follows:—
1. Adapted by the Karnataka Adaptations of Laws Order 1973 w.e.f. 1.11.1973
1. Short title, extent and commencement. —(1) This Act may be called the
1[Karnataka]1 Pawnbrokers Act, 1961.
(2) It extends to the whole of the 1[State of Karnataka]1.
(3) It shall come into force,-
(a) at once in the 1[Mangalore and Kollegal Area]1; and
(b) in such other area of the State on such 2[date]2 as the State Government may by
notification specify.
1. Adapted by the Karnataka Adaptations of Laws Order 1973 w.e.f. 1.11.1973
2. Act came into force w.e.f 1.10.1966 Vide notification No. DPC 271 CCC 66 dt. 26.8.1966
2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
(1) “company” means a company as defined in the Companies Act, 1956 (Central
Act 1 of 1956);

(2) “co-operative society” means a society registered or deemed to be registered
under the 1[Karnataka]1 Co-operative Societies Act, 1959 1[Karnataka]1 Act 11 of
1959)
1. Adapted by the Karnataka Adaptations of Laws Order 1973 w.e.f. 1.11.1973
(3) “interest” includes any amount, by whatsoever name called, in excess of the
principal, paid or payable to a pawnbroker in consideration of or otherwise in respect
of a loan; but does not include any sum lawfully charged in accordance with the
provisions of this Act by a pawnbroker for or on account of charges;
(4) “licence” means a licence granted under this Act;
(5) “loan” means an advance at interest whether of money or in kind and includes
any transaction which the Court finds in substance to amount to such an advance
but does not include,-
(i) a deposit of money or other property in a Government Post Office Savings Bank
or Government Savings Bank or banking company or in a company or with a co -
operative society;
1[(ii) an advance made by,—
(a) a banking company as defined in the Banking Regulation Act, 1949
(Central Act 10 of 1949); or
(b) the State Bank of India constituted under the State Bank of India Act, 1955
(Central Act 23 of 1955); or
(c) a subsidiary bank as defined in the State Bank o f India (Subsidiary Banks)
Act, 1959 (Central Act 38 of 1959); or
(d) a corresponding new bank constituted under the Banking Companies
(Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970 (Central Act 5 of 1970); or
(e) a corresponding new bank constitut ed under the Banking Companies
(Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1980 (Central Act 40 of 1980); or
(f) a regional rural bank constituted under the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976
(Central Act 21 of 1976); or

(g) the National Bank for Agricul ture and Rural Development established
under the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981 (Central
Act 61 of 1981); or
(h) the Agricultural Finance Corporation Limited, a company incorporated
under the Indian Companies Act 1956m (Central Act 11 of 1956)
(i) a Co -operative society registered under the Karnataka Co -operative
Societies Act, 1959 (Karnataka Act 11 of 1959;]1

1. Substituted by Act 40 of 1985 w.e.f. 31.5.1985
(iii) an advance made by Government or by any person authorised by
Government to make advances on their behalf, or by any local authority;
(iv) an advance made by any person bona fide carrying on any business not
having for its primary object the lending of money, if such loan is advanced in the
regular course of such business; and
(v) an advance made by a landlord to his tenant, for the purpose of carrying
on agriculture;
(6) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette;
(7) “pawn-broker” means a person who carries on the business of takin g goods
and chattels in pawn for a loan;
Explanation.—Every person who keeps a shop for the purchase or sale of goods
or chattels and who purchases goods or chattels and pays or advances thereon any
sum of money, with or under an agreement or understandin g expressed or implied
that the goods or chattels may be afterwards re -purchased on any terms, is a
pawnbroker within the meaning of this clause;
(8) “pawner” means a person delivering an article for pawn to a pawnbroker;
(9) “pledge” means an article pawned with a pawnbroker;
(10) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(11) “principal” means in relation to a loan the amount actually lent to the pawner;
1[(12)“ Year” means the year commencing on the first day of April.]1

1. Substituted by Act 9 of 1998 w.e.f. 21.4.1998
3. Pawn -broker to obtain licence. —No person shall, after the expiry of six
months from the date on which the provisions of this Act come into force in any area,
carry on or continue to carry on business as a pawnbroker at any place in such area,
unless he has obtained a pawn -broker’s lice nce under this Act 1[and after the
commencement of the Karnataka Pawn Brokers (Amendment) Act, 1985, except on
payment of security deposit as provided in section 4A.]1
1. Inserted by Act 40 of 1985 w.e.f. 31.5.1985
Explanation 1 .—Where a pawnbroker has m ore than one shop or place of
business, whether in the same town or village or in different towns and villages he
shall obtain a separate pawnbroker’s licence in respect of each such shop or place
of business.
Explanation 2.—Every pawn-broker’s licence granted under this Act shall be valid
1[for a term of 2[three years]2, but may be renewed from term to term]1.
1. Substituted by Act 9 of 1998 w.e.f. 21.4.1998
2. Substituted by Act 18 of 2025 w.e.f. 25.03.2025

1[Explanation 3.—Where a licence has been granted in the middle of a year, for
the purpose of computing the term of licence, the remaining part of the year shall be
deemed to be a year.]1
1. Inserted by Act 9 of 1998 w.e.f. 21.4.1998
4. Grant and renewal of licences. —(1) Every application for the grant or renewal
of a pawnbroker’s licence shall be in writing and shall be made to the prescribed
licensing authority.
(2) The grant or renewal of a licence shall not be refused except on any of the
following grounds, namely:—
(a) that the applicant is of bad character;
Explanation.—If any evidence of bad character is adduced against the applicant,
he shall be given an opportunity of rebutting such evidence;

(b) that the shop or place at which he intends to carry on the b usiness of a
pawnbroker or any adjacent house or shop or place, owned or occupied by him, is
frequented by persons of bad character, or
(c) 1[XXX]1
1. Omitted by the Act 11 of 2016 w.e.f 26.04.2016
(3) Any person aggrieved by an order refusing the grant or renewal of a licence
may, within the prescribed time, appeal to the prescribed authority.
(4) Every licence shall be granted or renewed in such form and 1[subject to the
conditions specified in section 4A and such other conditions]1 as may be prescribed.
1. Substituted by Act 40 of 1985 w.e.f. 31.5.1985
1[(5) Every application for the grant or renewal of a licence, shall be accompanied
by a fee at the following rates:—
(a) if the place at which the business is to be
carried on is not more than one.
2[Rupees five thousand]2
(b) if the business is to be carried on at more
than one place.
2[Rupees five thousand ]2 for the principal
place of business and 2[Rupees two
thousand five hundred]2 for each of the other
places.]1

Provided that where an application is made after the expiry of the period
prescribed by rules in respect of such application, it shall be accompanied 2[by an
additional license fee at fifty percent of the rate specified above. However, application
submitted after expiry of the Licence shall not be entertained]2.
1. Substituted by Act 9 of 1998 w.e.f. 21.4.1998
2. Substituted by Act 11 of 2016 w.e.f 26.04.2016.

(6) The fee payable under this section shall be paid in the manner prescribed and
shall not be refunded, notwithstanding the fact that the grant or renewal of the
licence is refused or the application is withdrawn.
1[4A. Conditions of licence. —2[(1) Every person making an application for grant
of a licence under section 4 shall, at the time of making such application, pay
security deposit as provided under sub -section (2) and in the case of an application
for renewal of such licence the security deposit shall be paid two months before the
expiry of such licence.]2
(2) Every licensee specified in column (1) of the Table below shall in the
prescribed manner deposit in the Government Treasury the amount specified in the
corresponding entry in column (2) of the said Table by way of security for the due
observance of the conditions of the licence.
TABLE
1 2
1. A licensee who 2[invests]2 less than one lakh
rupees in a year.
Five thousand rupees.
2. A licensee who 2[invests]2 one lakh rupees and
above but less than five lakh rupees in a year.
Ten thousand rupees
3. A licensee who 2[invests]2 five lakh rupees and
above but less than ten lakh rupees in a year.
Twenty five thousand rupees.
4. A licensee who 2[invests]2 ten lakh rupees and
above in a year.
Fifty thousand rupees

(3) For the purposes of sub -section (2), the amount of security payable by a
licensee in a year shall be determined on the basis of 2[the amount invested by him
in the business during the previous year] 2 3[and such security deposit shall not carry
any interest]3
Provided 5[xxx]5

4[Provided further that in the case of a new licensee or a person who has a licence
only for a portion of the preceeding year the amount of security shall be determined
on the basis of a declaration in the prescribed form as to the amount which he is
likely to invest during the year.]
3
]
1

1. Inserted by Act 40 of 1985 w.e.f. 31.5.1985
2. Substituted by Act 9 of 1998 w.e.f. 21.4.1998
3. Inserted by Act 9 of 1998 w.e.f. 31.5.1985
4. Inserted by Act 9 of 1998 w.e.f. 21.4.1998
5. Omitted by Act 11 of 2016 w.e.f. 26.4.2016
1
[4B. Forfeiture of security. —(1) The licensing authority may, at any time, by
order in writing, forfeit to the G overnment the whole or any portion of the security
deposit paid or deemed to have been paid under sub -section (2) of section 4A, if the
licensee,—
(a) carries on the business of money lending in contravention of any of the
provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder or the conditions of licence; or
(b) is convicted of an offence under sub -section (3) of section 9, section 15,
section 16 or section 16A or section 18; or
(c) maintains false accounts.
(2) Before forfeiting to the Government the who le or any portion of the security
deposit under sub-section (1), the licensing authority shall give the licensee a notice
in writing stating the grounds for which it is proposed to take action and requiring him
to show cause against it within such time as may be specified in the notice.
(3) Every order of the licensing authority under this section shall be communicated
to the licensee in such manner as may be prescribed.
(4) Every person aggrieved by an order under sub-section (1) may, within a period
of one month from the date on which the order was communicated to him, prefer an
appeal to the prescribed authority whose decision shall be final.
(5) The licensing authority may, out of the amount forfeited, direct payment of
such amount and at such rates a s may be prescribed to the borrowers affected by
the acts of the licensee.]1

1. Inserted by Act 9 of 1998 w.e.f. 31.5.1998
5. Pawn-brokers to exhibit their names over shops, etc. —Every pawn-broker
shall,-
(a) always keep exhibited in large characters ov er the outer door of his shop or
place of business his name with the word pawnbroker in English and its equivalent in
Kannada, and
(b) always keep placed in a conspicuous part of his shop or place of business so
as to be clearly visible to all persons res orting thereto the information required to be
printed on pawn-tickets by rules made under this Act, in the Kannada language.
6. Interest and charges allowed to pawn -brokers.—(1) No pawn -broker shall
charge interest in respect of a loan on a pledge at a ra te exceeding nine per cent per
annum simple interest or at such other rate as the State Government may by
notification fix from time to time.
(2) A pawnbroker may demand and take from the pawner such charges and in
such cases as may be prescribed.
(3) A pawnbroker shall not demand or take from the pawner any profit, interest,
charge or sum whatsoever, other than the interest due to him and the charges, if
any, referred to in sub-section (2).
7. Pawn -ticket to be given to pawner. —Every pawnbroker sh all on taking a
pledge in pawn give to the pawner a pawn-ticket in the prescribed form signed by the
pawner and the pawnbroker, and shall not take a pledge in pawn unless the pawner
takes the pawn-ticket.
8. Person producing pawn -ticket presumed to be ent itled to redeem the
pledge.—(1) The holder for the time being of a pawn -ticket shall be presumed to be
the person entitled to redeem the pledge, and subject to the provisions of this Act,
every pawnbroker shall on payment of the principal and interest, del iver the pledge
to the person producing the pawn-ticket, and he is hereby indemnified for so doing.
(2) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, a pawnbroker shall not be
bound to deliver back a pledge unless the pawn-ticket for it is delivered to him.

9. Protection of owners and of pawners not having pawn tickets. —(1) The
following provisions shall have effect for the protection of owners of articles pawned,
and of pawners not having their pawn-tickets to produce:—
(a) Any person claiming to be the owner of a pledge but not holding the pawn -
ticket or any person claiming to be entitled to hold a pawn -ticket, but alleging that the
same has been lost, mislaid, destroyed or stolen, or fraudulently obtained from him,
may apply to the pawnbroker for a printed form of declaration (which shall be in the
prescribed form), which the pawnbroker shall deliver to him:
Provided that an application shall not be made under this clause where the loan
exceeds two hundred and fifty rupees unless the applicant ha s caused a public
notice of his claim, containing such particulars as may be prescribed, to be published
in the prescribed manner not less than the prescribed number of days before the
date of the application.
(b) If the applicant delivers back to the paw n-broker the declaration duly made
before any Magistrate or Judge by the applicant and by a person identifying him, the
applicant shall have, as between himself and the pawn -broker, all the same rights
and remedies as if he had produced the pawn-ticket:
Provided that such a declaration shall not be effectual for that purpose,-
(i) in cases where the loan exceeds two hundred and fifty rupees, unless the
applicant executes a bond with two sureties, to the satisfaction of the pawn -broker or
of such authority or person as may be prescribed in this behalf, agreeing to
indemnify the pawnbroker in respect of any liability which may be incurred by him by
reason of delivering the pledge or otherwise acting in conformity with the declaration;
and
(ii) in all cases, unless the declaration is duly made and delivered back to the
pawnbroker within such period after the delivery of the form to the applicant, as may
be prescribed;
(c) The pawnbroker is hereby indemnified for not delivering the pledge to any
person until the expiration of the period aforesaid.

(d) The pawnbroker is hereby further indemnified for delivering the pledge or
otherwise acting in conformity with the declaration unless, he has had notice within
the meaning of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (C entral Act IV of 1882), that the
declaration was fraudulent or was false in any material particulars.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub -section (1), but without prejudice to
his liability to account for the pledge to the owner of the pledge or the person entitled
to hold the pawn ticket, the pawnbroker may deliver the pledge to any person
claiming to be the owner of the pledge but not holding the pawn -ticket, if the
pawnbroker is satisfied that such person is the owner of the pledge and is enti tled to
the delivery of the pledge, either after obtaining a bond from the claimant or
otherwise.
(3) Any person making a declaration under sub -section (1), either as an applicant
or as identifying an applicant knowing the same to be false in any material particular,
shall, on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to
six months or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both.
10. Pawnbrokers to keep books, give receipts, etc. —(1) Every pawnbroker
shall,-
(a) regularly record and maintain or cause to be recorded and maintained in a
pledge book in the prescribed form an account showing for each pawner separately,-
(i) the date of the loan, the amount of the principal of the loan and the rate of
interest charged on the loan per cent per annum or per rupee per mensem or per
rupee per annum;
(ii) the amount of every payment received by the pawnbroker in respect of the
loan, and the date of such payment;
(iii) a full and detailed description of the article or o f each of the articles taken
in pawn;
(iv) the time agreed upon for the redemption of the pawn; and

(v) the name and address of the pawner, and where the pawner is not the owner
of the article or of any of the articles pawned, the name and address of the owner
thereof;
(b) keep and use in his business the following documents and books (which shall
be in the prescribed form) and enter therein from time to time, a s occasion requires,
in a fair and legible manner such particulars and in accordance with such directions
as may be prescribed:—
(i) pawn-ticket;
(ii) sale book of pledges;
(iii) declaration where pledge is claimed by owner;
(iv) declaration of pawn-ticket lost; and
(v) receipt on redemption of pledge;
(c) give to the pawner or his agent a receipt for every sum paid by him, duly
signed and, if necessary, stamped at the time of such payment; and
(d) on requisition in writing made by the pawner furnish to the pawner or, if he so
requires to any person mentioned by him in that behalf in his requisition, a statement
of account signed by himself or his agent, showing the particulars referred to in
clause (a) and also the amount, which remains outstanding o n account of the
principal and of interest, and charge such sum as the State Government may
prescribe as fee therefor.
(2) All records or entries made in the books, accounts and documents referred to
in sub-section (1) shall be either in English or in Kannada as may be prescribed:
Provided that the State Government may by notification permit the use of any
other language in any area for such period, not exceeding three years, as may be
specified in the notification.
(3) All books, accounts and documents referred to in sub -section (1), and all
pledges taken by the pawnbroker shall be open to inspection at any time by the
licensing authority or an officer subordinate to the licensing authority authorised by
that authority.

(4) Notwithstanding anything cont ained in the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Central
Act I of 1872), a copy of the account referred to in clause (a) of sub -section (1),
certified in such manner as may be prescribed, shall be admissible in evidence in the
same manner and to the same extent as the original account.
(5) A pawner to whom a statement of account has been furnished under clause
(d) of sub -section (1) and who fails to object to the correctness of the account shall
not, by such failure alone, be deemed to have admitted the correctness of such
account.
(6) In the pawn -ticket furnished to the pawner, in the receipt given under clause
(c) of sub -section (1) and in the statement of account furnished under clause (d) of
that sub-section, the figures shall be entered only in Arabic numerals.
11. Redemption of pledge. —(1) Every pledge shall be redeemable within one
year from the day of pawning exclusive of that day; and there shall be added to that
year of redemption fifteen days of grace within which every pledge (if not redeemed
within the period of redemption) shall continue to be redeemable.
(2) A pledge pawned for a sum not exceeding 1[two thousand rupees ]1, if not
redeemed within the period of redemption and days of grace, shall at the end of the
days of grace become the pawnbroker’s absolute property.
(3) A pledge pawned for a sum exceeding 1[two thousand rupees ]1 shall further
continue to be redeemable until it is disposed of as provided in this Act, although the
period of redemption and days of grace have expired.
1. Substituted by Act 11 of 2016 w.e.f 26.04.2016.
Explanation.—Where the contract between the parties provides a longer period
for redemption than one year, the provisions of sub -sections (1), (2) and (3) shall be
read and construed as if references to su ch longer period had been substituted for
the references to the period of one year therein.
12. Sale of pledge and inspection of sale book. —(1) A pledge pawned for a
sum exceeding 1[two thousand rupees]1 shall, when disposed of by the pawnbroker, be
disposed of by sale by auction and not otherwise, and the sale shall be conducted in
accordance with such rules as may be prescribed.

1. Substituted by Act 11 of 2016 w.e.f 26.04.2016.
(2) A pawnbroker may bid for and purchase at a sale by public auction condu cted
under sub -section (1), a pledge pawned with him; and on such purchase he shall
become the absolute owner of the pledge.
(3) At any time within three years after the public auction, the holder of the pawn -
ticket may inspect the entry relating to the s ale either in the pawnbroker’s book or in
such catalogue of the auction as may be prescribed.
(4) (a) Where on such inspection or otherwise the pledge appears to have been
sold for more than the amount of the loan and the interest and charges due at the
time of the sale, the pawnbroker shall pay to the holder of the pawn -ticket, on
demand made within three years after the sale, the surplus after deducting therefrom
the necessary costs and charges of the sale.
(b) If on such demand it appears that the sale of the pledge has resulted in a
surplus but that within twelve months before or after such sal e, the sale of another
pledge or pledges of the same person has resulted in a deficit, the pawnbroker may
set off the deficit against the surplus and shall be liable to pay only the balance, if
any, after such set off.
13. Liability of pawnbroker in case of fire.—(1) Where a pledge is destroyed or
damaged by or in consequence of fire, the pawnbroker shall nevertheless be liable
on application made within the period during which the pledge would have been
redeemable, to pay the value of the pledge, after de ducting the amount of the
principal and interest.
Explanation.—For the purpose of this sub -section, the value of the pledge shall
be its estimated value (if any) entered in the pledge book at the time of the pawn
together with interest on the amount of the principal and shall in no case be less than
the aggregate of the amount of the principal and interest and twenty -five per cent on
the amount of the principal.
(2) A pawnbroker shall be entitled to insure to the extent of the value so
estimated.

14. Compensation for depreciation of pledge. —If a person entitled and offering
to redeem a pledge shows to the satisfaction of a Civil Court having jurisdiction to
entertain a suit for such redemption that the pledge has become or has been
rendered of less value than it was at the time of pawning thereof by or through the
default, neglect or wrongful act of the pawnbroker, the Court may, if it thinks fit,
award reasonable compensation to the owner of the pledge in respect of the
damage, and the amount awarded shall be deducted from the amount payable to the
pawnbroker, or shall be paid by the pawnbroker (as the case requires) in such
manner as the Court directs.
15. Pawnbroker advancing smaller amount or receiving higher interest than
that specified in accounts to be punishable. —(1) Any pawnbroker who actually
advances an amount less than that shown in the pawn -ticket or in his accounts or
registers or who takes or receives interest or any other charge at a rate higher than
that shown in the pawn -ticket or in his a ccounts or registers shall, on conviction be
punished with fine which may extend to 1[five lakh rupees]1.
(2) If a pawnbroker is convicted of an offence under sub -section (1) after having
been previously convicted of a similar offence, the Court convicting him may order
his licence as a pawnbroker to be cancelled.
1. Substituted by Act 18 of 2025 w.e.f. 25.03.2025
16. Certain other acts of pawnbrokers to be punishable.—A pawnbroker who,-
(1) takes an article in pawn from any person appearing to be under the age of
fourteen years or to be intoxicated; or
(2) purchases or takes in pawn or exchange a pawn -ticket issued by another
pawnbroker; or
(3) employs any person under the age of sixteen years to take pledges in pawn;
or
(4) under any pretence purchases, except at a public auction, any pledge while in
pawn with him; or
(5) suffers any pledge while in pawn with him to be redeemed with a view to his
purchasing it; or

(6) makes any contract or agreement with any person pawning or offering to
pawn any article, or with the owner thereof, for the purchase, sale, or disp osition
thereof within the time of redemption; or
(7) sells 1 [hypothecates, pawns] 1 or otherwise disposes of any pledge pawned
with him except at such time and in such manner as is authorised by or under the
Act;
2[(8) shall not use any coercive action either by himself or by his agents or
family member for recovery of money from the pawner and any form of coercive
recovery shall be liable for punishment under the provisions of this Act and empower
the Registering Authority to suspend or cancel the Registration of such pawn broker
as provided under the provisions of this Act.
Explanation: For the purposes of this section, "coercive Action" by a pawn
broker against the pawner include the following, namely:-
(i) exerting pressure or obstructing or using violence to or insulting or
intimidating the pawner or his/her family members, or
(ii) persistently following the pawner, his/her family member from place to
place or interfering with any property owned or used by him/h er or
depriving him/her of, or hindering him/her in the use of any such
property, or
(iii) frequenting the house or other place where the pawner resides or
works, or carries on business, or happens to be, with an intension of
taking coercive action, or
(iv) using the service of private or outsource or external agencies, criminal
background to negotiate/urging the pawner to make payment using
coercive and undue influence, or
(v) Seeking to take forcibly any document from the pawner which entitles
the pawner to a benefit under any Government programme.]2
-shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to
3[ten years]3 or with fine which may extend to 3[five lakh rupees]3 or with both.
1[4[XXX]4]1

1. Inserted by Act 29 of 1979 w.e.f 1.8.1979
2. Inserted by Act 18 of 2025 w.e.f. 25.03.2025
3. Substituted by Act 18 of 2025 w.e.f. 25.03.2025
4. Omitted by Act 18 of 2025 w.e.f. 25.03.2025
1[16A. Pawnbroker to redeem pledges. — (1) Where before the commencement
of the Karnataka Pawnbrokers (Amendment) Act, 1979 any pawnbroker has pawned
or hypothecated any pledge with any person, such pawnbroker shall, redeem the
pledge within thirty days from the date of such commencement.
(2) Any pawnbroker who fails to so redeem shall, on conviction, be punished with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2[ten years]2 and with fine which may
extend to 2[rupees five lakh]2:
Provided that the term of imprisonment shall not be less than 2[three years ]2
and the fine shall not be less than 2[rupees two lakh]2.]1
1. Inserted by Act 29 of 1979 w.e.f

1.8.1979.
2. Substituted by Act 18 of 2025 w.e.f. 25.03.2025
17. Certain acts of pawners to be punishable.—(1) Any person who,-
(a) offers to a pawnbroker an article by way of pawn, being unable or refusing to give
a satisfactory account of the means by which he became possessed of the
article; or
(b) wilfully gives false information to a pawnbroker as to whether an article offered by
him in pawn to the pawnbroker is his own property or not, or as to his name and
address, or as to the name and address of the owner of the article; or
(c) not being entitled to redeem and not having any colour of title by law to redeem, a
pledge, attempts or endeavours to redeem the same;
-shall, on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to
six months or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both.
(2) In every case falling under sub -section (1), and also in any case, where on an
article being offered in pawn, for sale, or otherwise, to a pawnbroker he reasonably
suspects that it has been stolen or otherwise illegally or clandestinely obtained, the

pawnbroker shall, in the absence of reasonable excuse, inquire into the name and
address of the person concerned, and seize and detain such person and the article,
or either of them, and forthwith communicate to the nearest police station the facts of
the case a nd shall deliver the person and the article, or either of them (as soon as
may be) to the custody of the police.
(3) A list of properties believed to have been stolen may be delivered by the police
to any pawnbroker licensed under this Act and thereupon i t shall be the duty of such
pawnbroker—
(a) if any article answering the description of any of the properties set forth in any
such list is offered to him in pawn, for sale, or otherwise, to proceed in accordance
with the provisions of sub-section (2); and
(b) if any such article is already in his possession, forthwith to communicate to the
nearest police station the facts of the case (including full particulars as to the name
and address of the person concerned in the delivery of the article to the pawnbroker)
and also, if so required by the police, to deliver the article to them.
18. General penalty for contravention of Act, etc. — (1) Whoever
contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or of any rule or of any terms or
conditions of a licence made or granted thereunder shall, if no other penalty is
elsewhere provided in this Act for such contravention, on conviction be punished with
fine which may extend to 1[three lakh rupees]1 and, if such person has been
previously convicted whether under this section or any other provision contained i n
this Act, with fine which may extend to 1[five lakh rupees]1.
(2) Any person who after having been convicted of the offence of carrying on, or
continuing to carry on the business of pawnbroker in contravention of the provisions
of section 3, continues to commit the same offence in the same year, shall in
addition to the fine to which he is liable under sub -section (1), be punished with a
further fine which may extend to 1[two lakh rupees]1 for each day after the previous
date of conviction during which he continues so to offend.
(3) Any Court convicting a pawnbroker of contravention of the provisions of clause
(d) of sub-section (1) of section 10, may direct him to furnish a statement of account

in accordance with the provisions of that clause, and if the pawnbroker fails to
comply with the direction, the Court may order his licence as a pawnbroker to be
cancelled.
1. Substituted by Act 18 of 2025 w.e.f. 25.03.2025
1[18-A. Settlement of disputes by Ombudsperson. - The Government shall by
notification appoint an Ombudsperson who can ac t as mediator between the pawner
or pawn -broker, for settling the disputes. The procedure and guidelines for the
settlement and mediation shall be in the manner as may be prescribed.
18-B. Grievances redressal forum. - The Government shall establish suitabl e
grievance mechanism. The procedure and guidelines for grievance mechanism shall
be in the manner as may be prescribed.
18-C. Authorized Officer. - (1) The Group -B Officer of Revenue Department or
Rural Development and Panchayath Raj Department or Urban Development
Department or Town Planning Department or Woman and Child Development
Department or Social Welfare Department or Minority Welfare Department or Tribal
Welfare Department or Backward Classes Welfare Department shall report if any
person is in contravention of the provisions of this Act and the Karnataka Prohibition
of Charging Exorbitant Interest Act 2004 (Karnataka Act No 14 of 2004) to the
concerned Registrar, Assistant Registrar or any Officer authorized by the State
Government in this behalf.
(2) The Registrar, the Assistant Registrar or any Officer authorized may on his
own motion or on the report submitted by the Officers referred in sub -section (1),
shall take action under the provisions of this Act.]1
1. Inserted by Act 18 of 2025 w.e.f. 25.03.2025
19. Jurisdiction to try offences. —No Court inferior to that of a Magistrate of the
second class shall try any offence against this Act.
1[19A. Offences by Hindu undivided Family, Companies etc. —(1) If any of the
provisions of this Act is contr avened by a Hindu undivided Family, the person
responsible for the management of the business of such Family shall be deemed to
have contravened such provision.

(2) (a) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, every
person who at t he time the offence was committed, was in charge of, and was
responsible to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well
as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be
proceeded against and punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing contained in this clause shall render any such person liable
to any punishment provided in this Act if he proves that the offence was committed
without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to preven t the
commission of such offence.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (a), where an offence under this
Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been
committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to, any neglect on the
part of, any director, manager, secretary, or other officer of the company, such
director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of that
offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section,-
(a) “company” means, a body corporate and includes a firm or other association of
individuals, and
(b) “director” in relation to a firm means, a partner in the firm;]1

1. Inserted by Act 29 of 1979 w.e.f

1.8.1979
1[20. Certain offence to be cognizable.—Offences punishable,-
(a) under section 16 for an act referred to in clause (7) thereof;
(b) under section 16A; and
(c) under section 18 for contravening the provision of section 3,
-shall be cognizable.]1
1. Substituted by Act 29 of 1979 w.e.f

1.8.1979
21. Contract of pawn to be void in certain cases and not to be void in certain
other cases.—(1) If any pawnbroker not licensed under this Act, takes any article in

pawn for a loan, the contract of pawn so far as it confers any right on the pawnbroker
in respect of the article pawned shall be void and the retention of the article by such
pawnbroker shall be wrongful.
(2) Where a pawnbroker is guilty of an offence against this Act (not being an
offence against any provision of this Act relating to licences), any contract of pawn or
other contract made by him, in relation to his business of pawnbro ker, shall
nevertheless not be void by reason only of that offence, nor shall he by reason only
of that offence, loose his lien on or right to the pledge or to the loan and the interest
and other charges, if any, payable in respect thereof:
Provided that if a pawnbroker fails to deliver to the pawner a pawn -ticket as
required by section 7 or fails to give to the pawner or his agent a receipt as required
by clause (c) of sub -section (1) of section 10 or to furnish on a requisition made
under clause (d) of t hat sub -section, a statement of account as required therein
within one month after such requisition has been made, the pawnbroker shall not be
entitled to any interest for the period of his default:
Provided further that if in any suit or proceeding relat ing to a loan the Court finds
that a pawnbroker has not maintained accounts as required by clause (a) or clause
(b) of sub-section (1) of section 10, he shall not be allowed his costs.
22. Power to make rules. —(1) The State Government may after previous
publication, by notification, make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power,
such rules may provide for—
(a) all matters expressly required or allowed by this Act to be prescribed;
(b) the form of, and the particulars to be contained in, an application for a
pawnbroker’s licence under this Act; and
(c) the form in which books, accounts and documents specified in this Act shall be
recorded, maintained, kept or used.
(3) Every rule made under this Act, shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is
made before each House of the State Legislature while it is in session for a total

period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two successive
sessions, and if before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid or the session
immediately following, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or
both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have
effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so however
that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of
anything previously done under that rul

Excerpt shown. Open the full act in Lexace.

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