Ransom - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition ransom

Definition :

Ransom [fr. rancon, Fr.], the price of redemption of a captive or prisoner of war, or for the pardon of some great offence. It differs from amerciament, because it excuses from corporal punishment.

To obtain the release of (a captive) by paying a demanded price, Black's Law Dictionary, p. 1267.

Is a sum of money paid for redeeming a captive or prisoner of war, or a prize. It is also used to signify a sum of money paid for the pardoning of some great offence, and or setting the offender who was imprisoned, Advanced Law Lexicon (3rd Edn.) p. 3932.

Is a sum of money to be demanded to be paid for releasing a captive, prisoner or detenu, Suman Sood v. State of Rajasthan, (2007) 5 SCC 634.