Dr. M enters into a written contract with Mr. N to

Solution

Explanation: Section 357 of the BNS, 2023 provides: "Whoever, being bound by a lawful contract to attend on or to supply the wants of any person who, by reason of youth, or of mental illness, or of a disease or bodily weakness, is helpless or incapable of providing for his own safety or of supplying his own wants, voluntarily omits so to do, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both." The section creates a criminal liability (distinct from mere civil breach of contract) for abandonment of helpless persons in specific circumstances. Essential elements include: (i) a lawful contract; (ii) the contracted person is helpless due to specified reasons (youth, mental illness, disease, bodily weakness); (iii) the bound person voluntarily omits care. In Dr. M's case: (i) there is an explicit written contract; (ii) Mrs. O is helpless due to Alzheimer's disease and is bedridden; (iii) Dr. M voluntarily abandoned care. This satisfies all Section 357 elements. The provision does not require proof of resulting injury to establish liability (option A is incorrect), does not provide exemptions for medical professionals (option C is incorrect), and does not require comparative negligence analysis (option D is incorrect). The presence or absence of abandonment clauses in the contract does not determine applicability (option E is incorrect). Thus, option (B) correctly applies Section 357