General Exceptions in Indian Penal Code from section 76 to 106 are exception to general principles of criminal law and criminal law are subject to such exceptions. Right to private defense is also discussed in the instant presentation
Alexis O'Connell Alexis Lee mugshot Lexileeyogi 512-840-8791
General exceptions Indian Penal Code, (S. 76 to 106)
1. Monday, December 14, 2015 1Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
Sandeep Kulshrestha
Amity Law School
Amity University, MP
2. GeneralExceptions
Section 6 of I.P.C.
“Throughout this Code every
definition of an offence, every
penal provision and every
illustration of every such
definition or Penal provision,
shall be Understood subject to
exceptions contained in the
chapter entitled General
Exceptions”
Chapter IV
Includes section 76 to Section 106
Applicable to all special and Local Laws
Govern offences define in all sections of criminal laws
Monday, December 14, 2015 2Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
3. General Principle
Prosecution has to prove its
case beyond reasonable doubt
against the accuse
Before enactment of
Indian Evidence Act
1882, Prosecution had
to prove that the case
doesn’t fall in any of
the general exceptions,
but section 105 of
Evidence Act shifted
the burden on
claimant.
In General Exceptions
As per section 105 of Evidence
Act it A claimant of General
has to prove the existence of
situation of general
exceptions
Monday, December 14, 2015 3Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
4. BurdenofProofinGeneralExceptions
Lies with the Accused
K.M. NanawatiVs. State of Maharashtra
1962 AIR(SC) 605
Dayabhai ChhaganbhaiThakkarVs. State of
Gujrat 1964 AIR(SC) 1563
VijayveersinghVs. State of Uttar Pradesh
1990 AIR(SC) 1459
Monday, December 14, 2015Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha 4
5. Section 76 : Bound by Law
Nothing is an offence
which is done by a
person who is, or
who by reason of a
mistake of fact and
not by reason of
mistake of law in
good faith believes
himself to be, bound
by law to do it
Nothing is an
offence which is
done by a person
who is, or who by
reason of a mistake
of fact and not by
reason of mistake
of law in good faith
believes himself to
be, bound by law to
do it
Not by mistake of Law
By Mistake of fact
Believes himself
In good faith
Monday, December 14, 2015 5Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
6. Section 77 : Act of Judge
Nothing is an offence
which is done by a
person who is, or
who by reason of a
mistake of fact and
not by reason of
mistake of law in
good faith believes
himself to be, bound
by law to do it
Nothing is an
offence which is
done by a Judge
when acting
Judicially in Exercise
of any power which
is, or which in good
faith he believes to
be, given to him by
law.
In Exercise of Power
WhenActing Judicially
In good faith he believes
Conferred upon him or
Monday, December 14, 2015 6Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
7. Section77:ActofJudge
Collector while exercising power under Land
Acquisition Act is neither a judge nor acting
judicially
Surendra Kumar BhatiyaVs. Kanhaiya Lal &
Others AIR 2009 SC 1961
Monday, December 14, 2015Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha 7
8. Section 78 : In Compliance of Court order
Nothing which is done in
pursuance of, or which is
warranted by the judgment
or order of, a court of
justice, if done whilst is
warranted by a judgment or
order remains in force, is an
offence, notwithstanding
the court may have had
jurisdiction to pass such
judgment or order,
provided the person doing
the act in good faith
believes that the court had
such jurisdiction.
Act done in compliance of
Must be in force
Or In good faith he believes
Passed within jurisdiction
Monday, December 14, 2015 8Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
9. Section 79 : Justified by Law
Nothing is an offence
which is done by a
person who is, or
who by reason of a
mistake of fact and
not by reason of
mistake of law in
good faith believes
himself to be, bound
by law to do it
Nothing is an offence
which is done by any
person who is justified
by law, or who by
reason of a mistake of
fact and not by reason
of mistake of law in
good faith, believes
himself to be, justified
by law, in doing it.
Not by mistake of Law
By Mistake of fact
Believes himself
In good faith
Monday, December 14, 2015 9Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
10. Section79:JustifiedbyLaw
In Uphar Cinema Case Element of Good faith
was lacking as the accused did not act with
proper care & Caution required by law
Susheel Kumar AnsalVs. State through C.B.I.
2014 (6) SCC 173
Monday, December 14, 2015Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha 10
11. Section 80 : Accident in doing a Lawful Act
Nothing is an offence
which is done by a
person who is, or
who by reason of a
mistake of fact and
not by reason of
mistake of law in
good faith believes
himself to be, bound
by law to do it
Nothing is an offence
which is done by
accident or misfortune,
and without any criminal
intention or knowledge
in the doing of a lawful
act in a lawful manner
by lawful means and
with proper care and
caution.
Criminal Intention or Knowledge
Without
In a Lawful manner
Doing of a Lawful act
Monday, December 14, 2015 11Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
12. Section 81 :To prevent other harm
Nothing is an offence
which is done by a
person who is, or
who by reason of a
mistake of fact and
not by reason of
mistake of law in
good faith believes
himself to be, bound
by law to do it
Nothing is an offence
merely by reason of its
being done with the
knowledge that it is likely
to cause harm, if it be done
without any criminal
intention to cause harm,
and in good faith for the
purpose of preventing or
avoiding other harm to
person or property.
Without Criminal Intention
To preventing other harm
In Good Faith
Monday, December 14, 2015 12Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
13. Section 82 : Act of Infant
Nothing is an offence
which is done by a
person who is, or
who by reason of a
mistake of fact and
not by reason of
mistake of law in
good faith believes
himself to be, bound
by law to do it
Nothing is an
offence
which is done
by a child
under seven
years of age.
Below 7 years of Age
Monday, December 14, 2015 13Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
14. Section 83 : Act of Child of immature understanding
Nothing is an offence
which is done by a
person who is, or
who by reason of a
mistake of fact and
not by reason of
mistake of law in
good faith believes
himself to be, bound
by law to do it
Nothing is an offence
which is done by a child
above seven years of
age and under twelve,
who has not attained
sufficient maturity of
understanding to judge
of the nature and
consequences of his
conduct on that
occasion.
Above 7 and under 12 years
To judge the nature
Immature to understand
Monday, December 14, 2015 14Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
15. Section 84 : Act of person of unsound mind
Nothing is an offence
which is done by a
person who is, or
who by reason of a
mistake of fact and
not by reason of
mistake of law in
good faith believes
himself to be, bound
by law to do it
Nothing is an offence
which is done by a
person who, at the time
of doing it, by reason of
unsoundness of mind,
is incapable of knowing
the nature of the act, or
that he is doing what is
either wrong or
contrary to law.
Incapable of knowing
Either wrong or
Nature of the act
Monday, December 14, 2015 15Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
16. Section84:Actofpersonofunsoundmind
A person is exonerated on the ground of unsoundness of
mind, if he at the time of doing the act, is either incapable
of knowing the nature of the act, or that he is doing what is
either wrong or contrary to law.
Every person who is mentally diseased, is not ipso facto
exempted from criminal liability -- Legal insanity has to be
distinguished from mental insanity -- Accused is required to
legal insanity arising out of Section 105 of Evidence Act --
Burden is not so onerous, as is on prosecution to prove the
guilt of the accused, instead, same may be equated to
burden of proof is rests on a plaintiff -- Factually Courts
below, held that Section 84 had no application -- No
occasion found to interfere with those findings
Hari Singh GondVs. State of M.P 2009 AIR(SC) 31
Monday, December 14, 2015Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha 16
17. Section84:Actofpersonofunsoundmind
Plea of insanity -- Doctrine, 'furious nulla voluntus est' and 'actus non facit reum
nisi mens sit rea' -- Burden of proof -- Mental disorder, 'epileptic psychosis' or
'epilepsy‘ -- What would generally an offence, would not be so if ingredients of
Section 84 are satisfied, mens rea is generally taken to be an essential element
of a crime -- Doctrine, 'furious nulla voluntus est' postulates that, a person who
is suffering from a mental disorder cannot be said to have committed a crime as
he does not know what he is doing -- For committing crime, intention and act
both are taken to be the constituents of the crime, 'actus non facit reum nisi
mens sit rea' -- But a person alleged to suffering from any mental disorder
cannot be exempted ipso facto -- Onus would be on accused to prove by expert
evidence that he is suffering from such a mental disorder or mental condition
that he could be expected to be aware of the consequences of his act -- Once a
person is found to be suffering from mental disorder or mental deficiency, which
takes within its ambit hallucinations, dementia, loss of memory and self control,
at all relevant times by way of appropriate documentary and oral evidence, the
person concerned would be entitled to seek recourse to general exception.
State of RajasthanVersus Shera Ram @Vishnu Dutta AIR2012 SC 1
Monday, December 14, 2015Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha 17
18. Section 85 : Person involuntary intoxicated
Nothing is an offence
which is done by a
person who is, or
who by reason of a
mistake of fact and
not by reason of
mistake of law in
good faith believes
himself to be, bound
by law to do it
Nothing is an offence
which is done by a person
who, at the time of doing
it, by reason of
intoxication, incapable of
knowing the nature of the
act, or that he is doing
what is either wrong or
contrary to law, provided
that the thing intoxicated
him was administered to
him without his knowledge
or against his will.
Wrong or Contrary to Law
Nature of the act
Administered against his will
Monday, December 14, 2015 18Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
19. Section 86 : intention or knowledge if intoxicated
Nothing is an offence
which is done by a
person who is, or
who by reason of a
mistake of fact and
not by reason of
mistake of law in
good faith believes
himself to be, bound
by law to do it
In cases where an act done is
not an offence unless done is
not an offence unless done
with a particular knowledge
or intent, a person who does
the act in a state of
intoxication shall be liable to
be dealt with as if he had the
same knowledge as he would
have had if he had not been
intoxicated, unless the thing
which administered to him
without his knowledge or
against his will.
Even if he is intoxicated
shall presume, he had that
Administered against his will
Monday, December 14, 2015 19Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
20. Section 87 :Voluntary caused injuries
Nothing is an offence
which is done by a
person who is, or
who by reason of a
mistake of fact and
not by reason of
mistake of law in
good faith believes
himself to be, bound
by law to do it
Nothing which is not intended to
cause death or grievous hurt, and
which is not known by the doer
to be likely to cause death or
grievous hurt, is an offence by
reason of any harm which it may
cause, or be intended by the doer
to cause, to any person, above
eighteen years of age, who has
given consent, whether express
or implied, to suffer that harm; or
by any reason of harm which it
may be known by the doer to be
likely to cause to any such person
who has consented to take the
risk of that harm.
Not intended to cause harm
Express of implied
No offence Constitute
Monday, December 14, 2015 20Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
21. Section 88 : Act done by consent for benefit
Nothing is an offence
which is done by a
person who is, or
who by reason of a
mistake of fact and
not by reason of
mistake of law in
good faith believes
himself to be, bound
by law to do it
Nothing which is not
intended to cause death, is
an offence by reason of any
harm which it may cause, or
be intended by the doer to
cause, or be known by the
doer to be likely cause to
any person, for whose
benefit it is done in good
faith, and who has given a
consent, whether express or
implied, to suffer that harm;
or to take the risk of that
harm.
Not intended to cause harm
Express of implied
For the benefit of the vicitim
Monday, December 14, 2015 21Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
22. Section 89 : For benefit of child or insane
Nothing which is done in
good faith for the benefit of
person under twelve years
of age, or of unsound mind,
by or by consent, either
express or implied, of the
guardian or other person
having lawful charge of that
person, is an offence by
reason of any harm which it
may cause, or be intended
by the doer to cause or be
known by the doer to be
likely to cause to that
person.
Not intended to cause harm
Of child or insane
For the benefit of child or insane
Monday, December 14, 2015 22Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
23. Section 90 : Consent under fear or misconception
A consent is not such a
consent as is intended by
any section of this code,
if the consent is given by
a person under fear of
injury, or under a
misconception of fact,
and if the person doing
the acts knows, or has
reason to believe, that
the consent was given in
consequence of such fear
or misconception.
Or misconception of fact
If, given under fear of injury
Or has reason to believe
Itgivenunderfearormisconception
Monday, December 14, 2015 23Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
24. Section 91 : Exclusion of Act Constitute an offence
The exceptions in section
87, 88 and 89 do not
extend to acts which are
offences independently
of any harm which they
may cause, or be
intended to cause, or be
known to be likely to
cause, to the person
giving the consent, or on
whose behalf the
consent is given.
Act is an independent offence
Under section 87, 88 and 89
Causing abortion itself is offence
Monday, December 14, 2015 24Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
25. Section 92 : Act done without consent for benefit
Nothing is an offence by
reason of any harm which it
may cause to a person for
whose benefit it is done in
good faith, even without the
person’s consent, if the
circumstances are such that it
is impossible for that person to
signify that consent or if that
person is incapable of giving
consent, and has no guardian
or other person in lawful
charge of him from whom it is
possible to obtain consent in
time for the thing to be done
with benefit
His Consent can not be obtained
For benefit, in good faith
Does not Constitute an offence
Monday, December 14, 2015 25Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
26. Section 93 : Communication made in good faith
No communication
made in good faith
is an offence by
reason of any harm
to the person to
whom it is made,
for the benefit of
that person.
For the benefit
Made in good faith
Does not Constitute an offence
Monday, December 14, 2015 26Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
27. Section 94 : compelled by threat
Except murder, and
offences against the state
punishable with death,
nothing is an offence
which is done by a person
who is compelled to do it
by threats, which, at the
time of doing it,
reasonably cause the
apprehension that instant
death to that person will
otherwise the
consequence
Reasonably cause the apprehension
By threat of instant death
Offence of ch.6 of Capital Punishment
Or Murder
Monday, December 14, 2015 27Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
28. Section 95 : Act Causing slight harm
Nothing is an offence
by reason that it
causes, or that it
intended to cause, or
that it is known to be
likely to cause, any
harm, if that harm is so
slight that no person of
ordinary sense and
temper would
complain of such
harm.
Law doesn’t take account of trifles
De minims non curat lex
Are not within spirit
Monday, December 14, 2015 28Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
31. Section 97 :Things done in private defense
Every person
has a right ,
subject to
the
restrictions
contained in
section 99,
to defend:
His own body, and the body of any
other person, against any offence
affecting the human body
The Property, whether movable or
immovable of himself or any other
person, against any act which is an
offence falling under the definition
of theft, robbery, mischief or
criminal trespass, or which is an
attempt to commit theft, robbery,
mischief or criminal trespass
Monday, December 14, 2015 31Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
33. Section 98 : Against person of unsound mind etc.
When an Act, which would
otherwise be a certain
offence, is not that offence,
by reason of youth, the want
of maturity of understanding,
the unsoundness of mind, or
the intoxication of the person
doing that act, or by reason
of any misconception on the
part of that person, every
person has the same right of
private defense against that
act which he would have if
the act were that offence.
Person of unsound mind
Immature youth
As applicable against act of others
Monday, December 14, 2015 33Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
34. Section 99 :Where No Right of Private Defense
• Reasonable apprehension is basic requirement of right of private
defense, otherwise no right of private defense is available
There is no right of Private defense against
the Act which does not reasonably cause
the apprehension of death or grievous hurt
• No right available to a person knows or has reason to believe , that the
person doing the act is such public servant
Done or attempted to be done by public
servant acting in good faith, under colour
of his office, though the act may not strictly
justifiable by law
• No right available to a person knows or has reason to believe , that the
person doing the act is acting by such direction such public servant
• Or produces the authority if demanded
Done or attempted to be done by the
direction of a public servant acting in good
faith, under colour of his office, though the
act may not strictly justifiable by law
• Only in cases where time to have recourse of the public authority is not
available
Where time is available to have recourse of
to the protection of public authority
• No case extends to inflicting more harm than it is necessary to inflict for
the purpose of defense
Extent to which right may be exercised
Monday, December 14, 2015 34Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
35. Section 100 : Where right of private defense of Body extends to cause death
Firt
• Such an assault, as may reasonably cause the apprehension that death will otherwise be the consequence
of such assault
Secondly
• Such an assault as may reasonably cause the apprehension that grievous hurt will otherwise be the
consequence of such assault
Thirdly
• An assault with the intention of committing rape
Fourthly
• An assault with the intention of gratifying unnatural lust
Fifthly
• An assault with the intention of kidnapping or abduction
Sixthly
• An assault with the intention of wrongfully confining a person under circumstances which may
reasonably cause him to apprehend that he will be unable to have recourse to the public authorities for
his release
Monday, December 14, 2015 35Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
36. Section 101 : Against person of unsound mind etc.
If the offence be not of any
description enumerated in
section 100, the right to
private defense of the body
does not extend to the
voluntary causing of death to
the assailant, but does
extend, under the
restrictions mentioned in
section 99, to the voluntary
causing to the assailant of
any harms other than death.
Does not extend to cause death
Not of any description of S. 100
Under restrictions of section 99
Monday, December 14, 2015 36Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
37. Section 102 : Commencement & Continuance of right
Right of private defense of
the Body commences as
soon as a reasonable
apprehension of danger to
the body arises from an
attempt or threat to
commit the offence
though the offence may
not have been committed;
and it continues as long
as apprehension of danger
to the body continues.
Eventhe offence notcommitted
From an attempt or threat of offence
Till the apprehension continues
Monday, December 14, 2015 37Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
38. Section 103 :Where right of private defense of Property
extends to cause death
First
• Robbery
Secondly
• House breaking by Night
Thirdly
• Mischief by Fire committed on any building, tent or vessel, which
building, tent or vessel is used for human dwelling, or as a place of
custody of property.case may be,
Fourthly
• Theft, Mischief or house trespass, under such circumstances as may
reasonably cause apprehension that death or grievous hurt will be
consequence. If such right of private defenceis not exercised
Monday, December 14, 2015 38Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
39. Section 104 :When right extends to cause other harm
Section
104
If the offence, the committing of which, or the
attempting to commit which, occasions the
exercise of the right of private defense, be
theft, mischief, or criminal trespass not of any
of the description enumerated in the section
103, the right does not extend to the voluntary
causing of death, but does extend, subject to
the restrictions mentioned in section 99 of the
voluntary causing to the wrongdoer of any
harm other than death
Monday, December 14, 2015 39Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
40. Section105:CommencementandcontinuanceofRight
• Till the offender has effected his retreat with the property
• Or assistance of public authority is obtained
• Property has been recovered
The Right of Private Defense
of property against the theft
continues
• As long as offender causes or attempt to cause to any person death or
hurt or wrongful restraint
• As long as fear of instant death or Instant hurt or instant personal
restraint continues
The Right of Private Defense of
property against the robbery
continues
•As long as the offender continues in the commission of
criminal trespass or mischief
The Right of Private Defense of
property against the criminal
trespass or mischief continues
• As long as the house trespass which has begun by such
house breaking continues
The Right of Private Defense of
property against the House
Breaking by night continues
Monday, December 14, 2015 40Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
41. Section 106 : Right Against Innocent Persons
If in the exercise of the right
of private defense against
an assault which reasonably
causes their apprehension
of death, the defender be
so situated that he cannot
effectually exercise that
right without risk of harm
to an innocent person, his
right of private defense
extends to the running of
that risk.
Eventhe offence notcommitted
Right of Private defense is available
Right extends to take such risk
Without risk of harm to innocent
Monday, December 14, 2015 41Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha
42. So, the Right of Private Defense is a right
available to a person to save himself from the
offender, may extend even to cause death of
offender in certain circumstances and even
extended to cause harm to an innocent
person if situation warrants.
The General exceptions are exceptions to
rule, so applicable only exceptional
circumstances as provided in the chapter.
Monday, December 14, 2015 42Created by Sandeep Kulshrestha