Ram (Raj Kapoor) is a destitute but bright law student who runs his finances with the help of money orders from his mother and pawning his possessions with the moneylender. During this struggle Ram falls in love with Sohni (Mala Sinha), who is also from a very poor family. To save Sohni from getting married to Harbanslal, Ram decides to rob the safe of the moneylender. His robbery goes wrong when the moneylender returns to his home. In the fear of getting caught, Ram accidentally kills the moneylender. Ram struggles with his own sense of guilt and the fear of getting caught by police.