Mr. Ramesh delivered his gold ornaments to a jeweller, Mr. Arun, for polishing. Arun kept the ornaments in the locker of his shop and locked the…

According to Section 148 of the Indian Contract Act,1872, bailment is the delivery of goods from one person to another for a specific purpose, upon a contract that the goods shall be returned once the purpose is completed. Section 151 provides that the bailee is bound to take as much care of the goods bailed as a man of ordinary prudence would take of his own goods. Further, Section152states that if the bailee has taken such reasonable care, he is not responsible for loss, destruction or deterioration of the goods. In the present case, Ramesh entrusted his ornaments to Arun, the jeweller, for polishing. Arun locked them securely in his shop’s locker. A theft occurred at night, and the ornaments were stolen despite the precautions taken. Ramesh demanded compensation, but Arun refused, claiming he exercised ordinary care. On the basis of the law provisions and facts of the case concerned, it is clear that Arun has taken reasonable precautions by locking the ornaments in the locker and securing the shop. The theft was beyond his control and does not amount to negligence. Therefore, Arun cannot be held liable to compensate Ramesh for the stolen ornaments.