← All NotesCriminal Law· Criminal Law: Indian Penal Code, 1860 / Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS)

Criminal Law · 149 notes

Criminal Law: Indian Penal Code, 1860 / Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) notes.

Chapter-wise, structured notes for Judiciary (PCS-J / HJS), AIBE, CLAT and LLB preparation: sections, leading case law, illustrations and exam pointers. Every note is free to read, with previous and next topic links.

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01General Principles of Criminal Liability149 topics

  1. 01

    Nature and Definition of Crime

    Inside this noteCriminal law
    1. 01Kenny's two-fold test – actus reus & mens rea
    2. 02Salmond's four elements of crime
    3. 03Crime vs tort distinction
    4. 04Cognizable, bailable, compoundable classification
    15 min readRead →
  2. 02

    Mens Rea BNS

    Inside this noteBNS Mens Rea
    1. 01Actus non facit reum, nisi mens sit rea
    2. 02R v Prince – strict liability mistake
    3. 03Voluntarily – §2(33) BNS
    4. 04Dishonestly & fraudulently – §2(7)/2(9)
    19 min readRead →
  3. 03

    Socio Economic Offences

    Inside this noteCriminal law
    1. 01Santhanam Committee eight-fold categories
    2. 0247th Law Commission Report 1972
    3. 03Mayer Hans George – strict liability
    4. 04Bail test – Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy
    18 min readRead →
  4. 04

    Causes of Crime Criminological Theories

    Inside this noteCriminology
    1. 01Classical school – Beccaria & Bentham
    2. 02Lombroso – born criminal theory
    3. 03Merton's strain theory – anomie
    4. 04Hirschi's social control theory
    16 min readRead →
  5. 05

    Doctrine of Double Jeopardy Article 20

    Inside this noteArt. 20
    1. 01Nemo debet bis vexari maxim
    2. 02Maqbool Hussain – customs not court
    3. 034 ingredients of Art 20(2)
    4. 04S.L. Apte – distinct offences test
    14 min readRead →
  6. 06

    Presumption of Innocence

    Inside this noteEvidence
    1. 01Golden thread – Woolmington v DPP
    2. 02§104 & §108 BSA – burden of proof
    3. 03Kali Ram – benefit of doubt
    4. 04Reverse burden – twin conditions for bail
    17 min readRead →
  7. 07

    Doctrine of Self Incrimination Article 20 3

    Inside this noteArt. 20(3)
    1. 01Kathi Kalu Oghad – testimonial vs physical
    2. 02Selvi – narco, polygraph, BEAP invalid
    3. 03Nandini Satpathy – investigation stage extended
    4. 04Nemo tenetur seipsum accusare maxim
    16 min readRead →
  8. 08

    Right to Legal Aid Article 39A NALSA

    Inside this noteArt. 39A
    1. 01§341 BNSS – legal aid in Sessions trial
    2. 02Suk Das – mandatory legal aid rule
    3. 03NALSA structure – state/district/taluk
    4. 04§12 LSA Act – categorical & means test
    16 min readRead →
  9. 09

    Illegal Arrest and Custodial Death DK Basu

    Inside this note1997 SC
    1. 0111 D.K. Basu guidelines
    2. 02§58 BNSS – 24 hour rule
    3. 03Nilabati Behera – custodial death compensation
    4. 04Joginder Kumar – arrest not automatic
    18 min readRead →
  10. 10

    Rights of the Accused Constitution BNSS

    Inside this noteCriminal Law
    1. 01Art 20(1)-(3) & 22 safeguards
    2. 02D.K. Basu 11 guidelines – arrest
    3. 03Right to speedy trial – Hussainara Khatoon
    4. 04Double jeopardy – §337 BNSS Art 20(2)
    18 min readRead →
  11. 11

    Punishments under BNS 2023

    Inside this noteBNS §4-13
    1. 01Six categories – §4 BNS
    2. 02Bachan Singh – rarest of rare
    3. 03Swamy Shraddananda – specific-term life
    4. 04Community service – six offences
    17 min readRead →
  12. 12

    Solitary Confinement BNS Sections 11 12

    Inside this note§§ 11–12 BNS
    1. 01Sunil Batra – solitary vs cellular confinement
    2. 02Four cumulative limits – §§11-12 BNS
    3. 03Charles Sobraj v. Supt Central Jail Tihar
    4. 04Nelson Mandela Rules 43-45
    15 min readRead →
  13. 13

    Theories of Punishment

    Inside this noteCriminology
    1. 01Lex talionis – proportionality principle
    2. 02Individual vs general deterrence
    3. 03Community service – §4(f) BNS
    4. 04Mohammad Giasuddin – reformative theory
    14 min readRead →
  14. 14

    General Exceptions BNS Chapter III

    Inside this noteCh. III BNS
    1. 01Seven functional groups – Ch III
    2. 02Unsoundness of mind – §22 BNS
    3. 03Private defence of property – §41 BNS
    4. 04Burden of proof – §108 BSA (Nanavati)
    19 min readRead →
  15. 15

    Mistake of Fact and Law BNS 14 17

    Inside this note§§ 14–17 BNS
    1. 01Ignorantia facti excusat & juris non excusat
    2. 02§14 vs §17 – bound v justified by law
    3. 03Good faith test – §2(11) due care
    4. 04Chirangi – father kills son as tiger
    16 min readRead →
  16. 16

    Accident Section 18 BNS

    Inside this note§ 18 BNS
    1. 01Six ingredients – lawful act/manner/means/care
    2. 02Sita Ram v. State of Rajasthan – rifle cleaning
    3. 03Accident vs rash/negligent act – §106 BNS
    4. 04Burden of proof – §108 BSA
    15 min readRead →
  17. 17

    Doli Incapax BNS Sections 20 21

    Inside this note§§ 20–21 BNS
    1. 01§20 BNS – absolute below age 7
    2. 02§21 BNS – rebuttable 7 to 12
    3. 03Malice supplying age – rebuttal test
    4. 04Ulla Mahapatra v State of Orissa
    15 min readRead →
  18. 18

    Unsoundness of Mind Section 22 BNS

    Inside this note§ 22 BNS
    1. 01McNaughton Rules – R v McNaughton 1843
    2. 02Legal vs medical insanity distinction
    3. 03Dahyabhai Thakkar – burden of proof rule
    4. 04Bapu v State of Rajasthan principles
    15 min readRead →
  19. 19

    Intoxication Sections 23 24 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 23–24 BNS
    1. 01Voluntary vs involuntary intoxication
    2. 02DPP v Beard – specific/basic intent test
    3. 03Basdev v State of Pepsu, AIR 1956 SC 488
    4. 04Burden of proof – §108 BSA 2023
    16 min readRead →
  20. 20

    Consent Sections 25 to 30 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 25–30 BNS
    1. 01Volenti non fit injuria maxim
    2. 02§28 – what is not consent
    3. 03§29 – duelling illustration
    4. 04Tunda v Rex – wrestling death
    19 min readRead →
  21. 21

    Communication Good Faith Section 31 BNS

    Inside this note§ 31 BNS
    1. 01Three ingredients – communication, good faith, benefit
    2. 02Good faith defined – §2(11) BNS
    3. 03Harm need not be foreseen – surgeon illustration
    4. 04Jacob Mathew v State of Punjab, (2005) 6 SCC 1
    14 min readRead →
  22. 22

    Compulsion Section 32 BNS

    Inside this note§ 32 BNS
    1. 01Coactus volui, tamen volui maxim
    2. 02Two exceptions – murder & offences vs State
    3. 03Instant death test vs English law (Howe)
    4. 04Duress vs necessity – §32 & §19 compared
    15 min readRead →
  23. 23

    Triviality Section 33 BNS

    Inside this note§ 33 BNS
    1. 01De minimis non curat lex maxim
    2. 02Ordinary sense & temper – objective test
    3. 03Veeda Menezes v Yusuf Khan
    4. 04Rupan Deol Bajaj v K.P.S. Gill
    13 min readRead →
  24. 24

    Necessity Section 19 BNS

    Inside this note§ 19 BNS
    1. 01Necessitas non habet legem maxim
    2. 02R v Dudley and Stephens – no defence to murder
    3. 03Proportionality – Explanation to §19
    4. 04Necessity vs duress (§32) & private defence
    15 min readRead →
  25. 25

    Private Defence Sections 34 to 44 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 34–44 BNS
    1. 01Doctrine of proportion – defensive force
    2. 02Darshan Singh – ten principles
    3. 03§38 – death for defence of body vs §41 property
    4. 04Burden of proof – §108 BSA preponderance
    19 min readRead →
  26. 26

    Common Intention Section 3 5 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 3–5 BNS
    1. 01Mahbub Shah v Emperor – similar vs common intent
    2. 02Barendra Ghosh – lookout equally liable
    3. 03Prior meeting of minds requirement
    4. 04§3(5)–3(9) BNS joint liability framework
    18 min readRead →
  27. 27

    Abetment Chapter IV BNS

    Inside this noteCh. IV BNS
    1. 01Three modes of abetment – §45
    2. 02Abetment of suicide – §108 BNS
    3. 03Sanju v. MP – mere angry words insufficient
    4. 04Abetment vs common intention vs conspiracy
    20 min readRead →
  28. 28

    Criminal Conspiracy Section 61 BNS

    Inside this note§ 61 BNS
    1. 01Overt act requirement – proviso to §61(1)
    2. 02Kehar Singh v State – Indira Gandhi case
    3. 03Nalini v TN – Rajiv Gandhi conspiracy
    4. 04Conspiracy vs Common Intention – §3(5)
    17 min readRead →
  29. 29

    Attempt Section 62 BNS

    Inside this note§ 62 BNS
    1. 01Abhayanand Mishra – act need not be penultimate
    2. 02Malkiat Singh – locus poenitentiae doctrine
    3. 03Section 62 residual attempt provision
    4. 04Impossibility and attempt liability
    16 min readRead →
  30. 30

    Locus Poenitentiae Doctrine

    Inside this noteBNS §62
    1. 01Malkiat Singh v State of Punjab – paddy case
    2. 02Mohd Yakub – point of no return test
    3. 03Withdrawal test vs proximity & equivocality
    4. 04Gopal Chandra Misra – resignation withdrawal
    15 min readRead →
  31. 31

    Preparation vs Attempt

    Inside this noteBNS §62
    1. 01Locus poenitentiae – Malkiat Singh
    2. 02Proximity test – R v Eagleton
    3. 03§149 & 310(4) BNS – preparation offences
    4. 04Multi-test approach – Koppula Venkat Rao
    13 min readRead →
  32. 32

    Theories of Attempt

    Inside this noteBNS §62
    1. 01Proximity theory – R v Eagleton
    2. 02Impossibility – Asgarali vs Munah binte Ali
    3. 03Object theory – Salmond's equivocality test
    4. 04Mohd. Yakub – multi-theory approach
    16 min readRead →
  33. 33

    Sexual Offences Against Women BNS

    Inside this noteBNS Ch V
    1. 01§74 – outraging modesty (ex-§354 IPC)
    2. 02§75 – sexual harassment (ex-§354A)
    3. 03§78 – stalking (ex-§354D IPC)
    4. 04Mathura case – Tukaram v State of Maharashtra
    18 min readRead →
  34. 34

    Rape Section 63 BNS

    Inside this note§ 63 BNS
    1. 01Marital rape exception – wife under 18
    2. 02§65(2) – rape of woman under 12
    3. 03Gang rape – §70 deemed liability
    4. 04Mathura case – Tukaram v Maharashtra
    22 min readRead →
  35. 35

    Attempt to Rape BNS

    Inside this noteBNS §62
    1. 01§62 residual attempt provision – rape
    2. 02Koppula Venkat Rao – multi-test approach
    3. 03Aman Kumar – attempt vs modesty outrage
    4. 04Madan Lal v J&K – indecent assault distinct
    16 min readRead →
  36. 36

    Rape and Murder Section 66 BNS

    Inside this note§ 66 BNS
    1. 01Section 66 BNS – rape causing death/PVS
    2. 02Rarest of rare – Bachan Singh
    3. 03Machhi Singh five categories
    4. 04Mukesh v State – Nirbhaya case
    18 min readRead →
  37. 37

    Section 377 IPC Constitutionality

    Inside this note§ 377 IPC
    1. 01Naz Foundation reading down – 2009 Delhi HC
    2. 02Koushal v Naz Foundation reversal – 2013
    3. 03Navtej Johar – 2018 decriminalisation
    4. 04BNS 2023 omits §377 – lacuna flagged
    17 min readRead →
  38. 38

    Marriage Offences Sections 80 to 87 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 80–87 BNS
    1. 01Dowry death – §80 (4 ingredients)
    2. 02Cruelty definition – §86 BNS
    3. 03Presumption §118 BSA – dowry death/cruelty
    4. 04Arnesh Kumar guidelines – arrest safeguards
    17 min readRead →
  39. 39

    Sexual Harassment Section 75 BNS POSH Act

    Inside this note§ 75 BNS
    1. 01Vishaka guidelines – 1997 SC
    2. 02Four kinds of conduct – §75(1)
    3. 03POSH Act §2(n) & IC/LC mechanism
    4. 04Aureliano Fernandes – 2023 SC
    17 min readRead →
  40. 40

    Voyeurism Section 77 BNS

    Inside this note§ 77 BNS
    1. 01Explanation 2 – revenge pornography
    2. 02Punishment: 1–3 yrs, repeat 3–7 yrs
    3. 03Puttaswamy – privacy as fundamental right
    4. 04Animesh Boxi & Ravi @ Bhava cases
    17 min readRead →
  41. 41

    Stalking Section 78 BNS

    Inside this note§ 78 BNS
    1. 01Physical vs cyber stalking – §78(1)(i)(ii)
    2. 02Three statutory exceptions – proof burden
    3. 03Punishment: 3 yrs first, 5 yrs repeat
    4. 04Puttaswamy – privacy as fundamental right
    20 min readRead →
  42. 42

    Outraging Modesty Section 74 BNS

    Inside this note§ 74 BNS
    1. 01Major Singh – modesty of infant girl
    2. 02Rupan Deol Bajaj v K.P.S. Gill
    3. 03§33 BNS triviality does not apply
    4. 04Distinction – §75 sexual harassment
    18 min readRead →
  43. 43

    Dowry Death Section 80 BNS

    Inside this note§ 80 BNS
    1. 01Seven-year marriage window rule
    2. 02Kans Raj – soon before death test
    3. 03§118 BSA mandatory presumption
    4. 04Arnesh Kumar guidelines – §85 misuse
    19 min readRead →
  44. 44

    Cruelty Section 85 86 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 85–86 BNS
    1. 01§86(a) & (b) – two cruelty categories
    2. 02Arnesh Kumar – arrest guidelines
    3. 03Rajesh Sharma – frivolous complaint safeguards
    4. 04DV Act 2005 §3 – domestic violence
    19 min readRead →
  45. 45

    Miscarriage Sections 88 to 92 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 88–92 BNS
    1. 01Quick vs unquickened – §88 punishment tiers
    2. 02Without consent – §89 life imprisonment
    3. 03MTP Act 2021 – 24 week limit
    4. 04Puttaswamy & Suchita Srivastava – privacy right
    18 min readRead →
  46. 46

    Offences Against Children Sections 93 to 99 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 93–99 BNS
    1. 01Section 93 – exposure/abandonment under 12
    2. 02Section 96 – procuration of a child
    3. 03Sections 98-99 – selling/buying for prostitution
    4. 04Prajwala v Union of India, (2019) 12 SCC 250
    20 min readRead →
  47. 47

    Culpable Homicide Section 100 BNS

    Inside this note§ 100 BNS
    1. 01Genus-species – Reg v Govinda
    2. 02Three limbs of §100 mental element
    3. 03Explanations 1-3 (eggshell, medical, unborn)
    4. 04Virsa Singh – §101(iii) test
    18 min readRead →
  48. 48

    Murder Section 101 BNS

    Inside this note§ 101 BNS
    1. 01Virsa Singh v Punjab – four-element test
    2. 02Bachan Singh – rarest of rare doctrine
    3. 03Machhi Singh – five aggravation categories
    4. 04§104 BNS – murder by life-convict
    19 min readRead →
  49. 49

    Abetment of Suicide Sections 107 108 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 107–108 BNS
    1. 01§107 BNS – suicide of child/insane person
    2. 02§108 BNS – ordinary abetment of suicide
    3. 03Gian Kaur – no right to die, Art 21
    4. 04§117 BSA presumption – wife's suicide
    17 min readRead →
  50. 50

    Attempt to Murder Sections 109 110 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 109–110 BNS
    1. 01Section 109(3) – group attack discriminatory grounds
    2. 02Section 62 residual attempt distinguished
    3. 03Balram Bama Patil – prompt medical aid
    4. 04Jai Narain Mishra – murder vs culpable homicide test
    17 min readRead →
  51. 51

    Organised Crime History and Framework

    Inside this noteBNS §111
    1. 01Section 111 BNS definition
    2. 02MCOCA §2(1)(e) definition compared
    3. 03Organised crime vs conspiracy – §61 BNS
    4. 04Ranjitsing Sharma – bail framework
    18 min readRead →
  52. 52

    Sections 111 112 113 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 111–112 BNS
    1. 01Organised crime – §111 BNS
    2. 02Petty organised crime – §112 BNS
    3. 03Terrorist act – §113 BNS
    4. 04Bharat Shanti Lal Shah – MCOCA validity
    19 min readRead →
  53. 53

    Hurt and Grievous Hurt Sections 114 to 125 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 114–125 BNS
    1. 01Grievous hurt 8 clauses – §116
    2. 02Shivalingaiah – danger/duration test
    3. 03Acid attack framework – §124 Laxmi
    4. 04PVS & group hurt – §117(2)-(3)
    23 min readRead →
  54. 54

    Wrongful Restraint Confinement Sections 126 127 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 126–127 BNS
    1. 01Restraint vs confinement distinction
    2. 02Circumscribing limits – §127
    3. 03Aggravated confinement – §127(3)-(8)
    4. 04Chinnu Rajappa v State – circumscribing limits
    17 min readRead →
  55. 55

    Kidnapping and Abduction Sections 137 to 141 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 137–141 BNS
    1. 01S. Varadarajan v State of Madras – consent rule
    2. 02Kidnapping vs abduction distinguished
    3. 03§140 – murder, ransom, confinement, slavery
    4. 04§139 – child begging, min 10yrs/life
    18 min readRead →
  56. 56

    Offences Against State Chapter VII BNS

    Inside this noteCh. VII BNS
    1. 01§147 – waging war against Govt of India
    2. 02§152 – sedition replacement of §124A IPC
    3. 03Kedar Nath Singh test – public disorder tendency
    4. 04SG Vombatkere – sedition on hold
    21 min readRead →
  57. 57

    Military Offences Chapter VIII BNS

    Inside this noteCh. VIII BNS
    1. 01§159 – abetting mutiny/seducing from duty
    2. 02§160 – mutiny committed, death/life
    3. 03§163 & §164 – desertion abetment/harbouring
    4. 04Ranjit Thakur v Union of India – court-martial
    17 min readRead →
  58. 58

    Election Offences Chapter IX BNS

    Inside this noteCh. IX BNS
    1. 01Bribery – §170 BNS
    2. 02Undue influence – §171 BNS
    3. 03Personation at elections – §172
    4. 04Indira Gandhi v Raj Narain, 1975
    17 min readRead →
  59. 59

    Counterfeiting Chapter X BNS

    Inside this noteCh. X BNS
    1. 01Counterfeiting coin/currency/stamps – §178
    2. 02Using as genuine forged notes – §179
    3. 03Possession of forged/counterfeit – §180
    4. 04State of Kerala v. Mathew – §489A IPC scope
    16 min readRead →
  60. 60

    Public Tranquillity Chapter XI BNS

    Inside this noteCh. XI BNS
    1. 01Unlawful assembly – §189 five objects
    2. 02Constructive liability – §190, Masalti test
    3. 03Rioting – §191, Affray §194
    4. 04Promoting enmity – §196 vs Art 19(2)
    21 min readRead →
  61. 61

    Unlawful Assembly Section 189 190 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 189–190 BNS
    1. 01Five-person requirement – §189
    2. 02Common object vs common intention – §3(5)
    3. 03Masalti v UP – four-element framework
    4. 04Maina Singh – 'knew to be likely' standard
    17 min readRead →
  62. 62

    Rioting Section 191 BNS

    Inside this note§ 191 BNS
    1. 01§191(3) – deadly weapon rioting
    2. 02§192 – wantonly provoking riot
    3. 03Rioting vs affray – §194 distinction
    4. 04Bhanwar Singh – common object test
    16 min readRead →
  63. 63

    Affray Section 194 BNS

    Inside this note§ 194 BNS
    1. 01Three ingredients – §194(1) BNS
    2. 02Sundar Singh – mutual fighting required
    3. 03Jagannath Prasad – private place excludes affray
    4. 04Affray vs Rioting §191 distinction
    15 min readRead →
  64. 64

    Offences By Public Servants Chapter XII BNS

    Inside this noteCh. XII BNS
    1. 01Public servant defined – §2(28) BNS
    2. 02§198 – disobeying law to cause injury
    3. 03§201 – framing incorrect document
    4. 04Sanction requirement – §218 BNSS
    18 min readRead →
  65. 65

    Contempt of Lawful Authority Chapter XIII BNS

    Inside this noteCh. XIII BNS
    1. 01§217 – false info causing use of power (Perumal v Janaki)
    2. 02§226 – attempt suicide to compel public servant
    3. 03Art 20(3) self-incrimination vs §214
    4. 04Gian Kaur v Punjab – Art 21 & suicide
    23 min readRead →
  66. 66

    False Evidence Chapter XIV BNS

    Inside this noteCh. XIV BNS
    1. 01§227-229 – giving/fabricating false evidence
    2. 02§238 – causing disappearance of evidence
    3. 03§269 – failure to appear on bail bond
    4. 04Chandrapal Singh v Maharaj Singh – perjury materiality
    21 min readRead →
  67. 67

    Public Health Decency Chapter XV BNS

    Inside this noteCh. XV BNS
    1. 01Public nuisance – §270 & §292-293
    2. 02Food/drug adulteration – §274-278
    3. 03Hicklin test – Ranjit Udeshi
    4. 04Community standards test – Aveek Sarkar
    20 min readRead →
  68. 68

    Offences Relating to Religion Chapter XVI BNS

    Inside this noteCh. XVI BNS
    1. 01§298 – defiling place of worship
    2. 02§299 – Ramji Lal Modi 1957 SC
    3. 03§302 – deliberate intent, words/gestures
    4. 04Kedar Nath Singh test applied to Ch XVI
    16 min readRead →
  69. 69

    Property Offences Chapter XVII BNS

    Inside this noteCh. XVII BNS
    1. 01Snatching – new §304 BNS
    2. 02Dacoity – §310 (five+ persons)
    3. 03Cheating consolidated – §318
    4. 04Pyare Lal Bhargava – temporary taking theft
    20 min readRead →
  70. 70

    Theft Sections 303 to 307 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 303–307 BNS
    1. 01Five ingredients of theft – §303
    2. 02Pyare Lal Bhargava – temporary movement suffices
    3. 03K. N. Mehra – intention at time of taking
    4. 04Snatching as new offence – §304
    19 min readRead →
  71. 71

    Extortion Section 308 BNS

    Inside this note§ 308 BNS
    1. 01Five ingredients of extortion – §308(1)
    2. 02Punishment tiers §308(2)-(7)
    3. 03Theft vs Extortion vs Robbery vs Cheating
    4. 04Dhananjay v State of Bihar – fear-induced delivery
    17 min readRead →
  72. 72

    Robbery and Dacoity Sections 309 to 313 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 309–313 BNS
    1. 01Om Prakash – temporal connection test §309(2)
    2. 02Five-person rule dacoity – Ram Chandra
    3. 03Highway robbery night – 14 yrs §309(4)
    4. 04Gang of dacoits – §313 belonging offence
    17 min readRead →
  73. 73

    Criminal Misappropriation Sections 314 315 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 314–315 BNS
    1. 01Ramaswamy Nadar – reasonable steps to trace owner
    2. 02K. N. Mehra – initial possession decides intent
    3. 03§315 – deceased's property misappropriation
    4. 04Theft vs misappropriation vs breach of trust
    16 min readRead →
  74. 74

    Criminal Breach of Trust Section 316 BNS

    Inside this note§ 316 BNS
    1. 01Entrustment element – Jaswantrai Manilal Akhaney
    2. 02§316(3) – public servants & fiduciaries
    3. 03R.K. Dalmia corporate breach framework
    4. 04Breach of trust vs cheating distinction
    16 min readRead →
  75. 75

    Receiving Stolen Property Section 317 BNS

    Inside this note§ 317 BNS
    1. 01Knowing or reason to believe – mens rea
    2. 02Trimbak v MP – three ingredients
    3. 03Habitual dealing – §317(4)
    4. 04Presumption – possession soon after theft
    17 min readRead →
  76. 76

    Cheating Sections 318 319 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 318–319 BNS
    1. 01Four ingredients of cheating
    2. 02§318(4) BNS – old §420 IPC framework
    3. 03§319 – cheating by personation
    4. 04Cheating vs breach of contract – Krishna Bahadur
    16 min readRead →
  77. 77

    Fraudulent Deeds Sections 320 to 323 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 320–323 BNS
    1. 01§320 BNS – concealment to defeat creditors
    2. 02§321 BNS – preventing debt recovery
    3. 03§322 BNS – sham deed false consideration
    4. 04Chandi Kumar Das v Abanidhar Roy AIR 1965 SC
    17 min readRead →
  78. 78

    Mischief Sections 324 to 328 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 324–328 BNS
    1. 01Mischief definition – §324 BNS
    2. 02Fire/explosive mischief – §327 BNS
    3. 03Own property mischief – Prakash Chandra Chowdhary
    4. 04Distinction from theft, arson, trespass
    17 min readRead →
  79. 79

    Criminal Trespass Sections 329 to 334 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 329–334 BNS
    1. 01House-breaking – six modes §330
    2. 02House-trespass by night – §331
    3. 03House-trespass to commit offence – §332
    4. 04Raja Ram v State of Rajasthan (2005)
    17 min readRead →
  80. 80

    Documents Forgery Sections 335 to 344 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 335–344 BNS
    1. 01False document – §335
    2. 02Forgery definition – §336(1)
    3. 03Forgery of court records – §337
    4. 04Sheila Sebastian v Jawaharaj
    18 min readRead →
  81. 81

    Defamation Section 356 BNS

    Inside this note§ 356 BNS
    1. 01Ten exceptions – §356(1)
    2. 02Four ingredients of defamation
    3. 03Subramanian Swamy – constitutional validity
    4. 04R Rajagopal – public figure framework
    16 min readRead →
  82. 82

    Misuse of Section 498A Sections 85 86 BNS

    Inside this note§ 498A BNS
    1. 01Arnesh Kumar – nine-point arrest directive
    2. 02Rajesh Sharma FWC overruled by Social Action Forum
    3. 03Kahkashan Kausar – omnibus allegations quashed
    4. 04Sushil Kumar Sharma – 'legal terrorism'
    17 min readRead →
  83. 83

    Medical Negligence

    Inside this noteBNS §106
    1. 01Jacob Mathew v State of Punjab test
    2. 02§106 BNS – rash/negligent death
    3. 03Bolam test & Bolitho qualification
    4. 04IMA v V.P. Shantha – consumer forum
    16 min readRead →
  84. 84

    Witness Protection Scheme 2018

    Inside this noteBNSS §398
    1. 01Mahender Chawla v Union of India (2019)
    2. 02Zahira Habibulla Sheikh – Best Bakery case
    3. 03Category A/B/C threat framework
    4. 04BNSS §398 – state witness schemes
    15 min readRead →
  85. 85

    Death Penalty Judgments

    Inside this noteDeath penalty
    1. 01Rarest of rare doctrine – Bachan Singh
    2. 02Mithu – mandatory death penalty struck down
    3. 03Shatrughan Chauhan – death row prisoner rights
    4. 04Machhi Singh – five categories elaborated
    16 min readRead →
  86. 86

    Vishaka Sexual Harassment Workplace

    Inside this note1997 SC
    1. 01Vishaka v State of Rajasthan (1997)
    2. 0212 Vishaka Guidelines
    3. 03Internal & Local Committee – §4,5 POSH Act
    4. 04§75 BNS – sexual harassment offence
    16 min readRead →
  87. 87

    Legal Aid Fundamental Right

    Inside this noteArt 21/39A
    1. 01MH Hoskot v Maharashtra 1978
    2. 02Hussainara Khatoon – undertrials
    3. 03Khatri v Bihar – earliest stage
    4. 04§341 BNSS – mandatory legal aid
    17 min readRead →
  88. 88

    Right to Silence Nandini Satpathy

    Inside this noteArt 20(3)
    1. 01Three essentials of Art 20(3)
    2. 02Kathi Kalu Oghad – testimonial vs physical
    3. 03Nandini Satpathy – right to counsel
    4. 04Selvi – narco, polygraph, brain mapping
    16 min readRead →
  89. 89

    AR Antulay v RS Nayak Special Judge

    Inside this notePC Act 1988
    1. 01Special Judge exclusive jurisdiction – §4
    2. 02Sanction mandatory – §19 PC Act
    3. 031984 five-judge bench – R.S. Nayak v Antulay
    4. 042018 amendment – sanction for ex-officials
    15 min readRead →
  90. 90

    Custodial Violence Custodial Death

    Inside this noteDK Basu 1997
    1. 0111 DK Basu guidelines – 1997
    2. 02Constitutional tort – Nilabati Behera
    3. 03Encounter deaths – Prakash Kadam
    4. 04§120 BNS – custodial hurt to extort confession
    17 min readRead →
  91. 91

    Rape Victim Compensation

    Inside this note§396 BNSS
    1. 01Bodhisattwa Gautam – interim compensation
    2. 02§396 BNSS – State Victim Compensation Scheme
    3. 03§397 BNSS – free treatment of victims
    4. 04NALSA Scheme 2018 – Nipun Saxena
    15 min readRead →
  92. 92

    Right to Life Right to Die

    Inside this noteArt 21
    1. 01Gian Kaur – right to die not included
    2. 02Aruna Shanbaug – passive euthanasia safeguards
    3. 03Common Cause – living wills recognised
    4. 04§108 & §226 BNS – suicide provisions
    17 min readRead →
  93. 93

    Prevention of Honour Killing

    Inside this note2018 SC
    1. 01Shakti Vahini three-fold guidelines
    2. 02Lata Singh v State of UP (2006)
    3. 03Law Commission 242nd Report 2012
    4. 04Shafin Jahan v Asokan – Hadiya case
    16 min readRead →
  94. 94

    Mob Violence and Lynching

    Inside this noteBNS §103(2)
    1. 01Tehseen Poonawalla guidelines – 3 fold
    2. 02§103(2) BNS – five or more mob murder
    3. 03§117(4) BNS – group grievous hurt
    4. 04Manipur first anti-lynching law 2018
    15 min readRead →
  95. 95

    Acid Attack Section 124 BNS

    Inside this note§ 124 BNS
    1. 01§124(1) – causing hurt by acid: 10yrs–life
    2. 02§124(2) – throwing/attempting acid: 5–7yrs
    3. 03Laxmi v Union of India – acid sale regulation
    4. 04NALSA Scheme 2018 – compensation slabs
    16 min readRead →
  96. 96

    Doctrine of Transferred Malice

    Inside this noteBNS §102
    1. 01§102 BNS – transferred malice statutory basis
    2. 02Same-kind-of-harm limitation
    3. 03Suryanarayana Murthy – poisoned food case
    4. 04R v Latimer – belt misses target
    18 min readRead →
  97. 97

    Disclosure of Identity of Victim Section 72

    Inside this note§ 72
    1. 01§72 BNS – victim identity disclosure
    2. 023 exceptions – police/victim/next of kin
    3. 03Nipun Saxena v UOI (2019) guidelines
    4. 04§23 POCSO – child victim identity
    17 min readRead →
  98. 98

    Territorial Extra Territorial Operation BNS

    Inside this noteBNS §1
    1. 01Nationality principle – §1(4)(a)
    2. 02Flag principle – ships/aircraft §1(4)(b)
    3. 03Cyber-jurisdiction – §1(4)(c)
    4. 04Mobarik Ali Ahmed v State of Bombay
    18 min readRead →
  99. 99

    Corporate Criminal Liability

    Inside this noteBNS §2(26)
    1. 01Standard Chartered Bank v ED – mandatory imprisonment
    2. 02Iridium v Motorola – mens rea attribution
    3. 03Directing mind & will/alter ego doctrine
    4. 04§2(26) BNS – person includes company
    18 min readRead →
  100. 100

    Vicarious Liability in Criminal Law

    Inside this noteBNS liability
    1. 01'In charge of and responsible' formula
    2. 02SMS Pharma v Neeta Bhalla – averment
    3. 03Due diligence defence proviso
    4. 04Vicarious liability vs §190 BNS constructive
    18 min readRead →
  101. 101

    Community Service as Punishment

    Inside this noteBNS §4
    1. 01Six punishments – §4 BNS (ex-§53 IPC)
    2. 02Community service defined – Expln to §23 BNSS
    3. 03Offences listed: §202, §209, §226, §303(2)
    4. 04§355 & §356(2) – drunken misconduct, defamation
    15 min readRead →
  102. 102

    Sexual Intercourse Deceitful Means Section 69

    Inside this note§ 69
    1. 01False promise vs breach of promise test
    2. 02Uday v Karnataka (2003) consent test
    3. 03Pramod Suryabhan Pawar (2019) framework
    4. 04Deceitful means – Explanation to §69
    18 min readRead →
  103. 103

    Gang Rape Section 70 BNS

    Inside this note§ 70 BNS
    1. 01Deemed liability – each member of group
    2. 02§70(2) minor gang rape – death penalty
    3. 03Priya Patel v MP – woman's liability
    4. 04Mukesh v State NCT Delhi – Nirbhaya
    18 min readRead →
  104. 104

    Sections 72 73 Victim Identity Publication

    Inside this note§§ 72–73
    1. 01§72 – identity disclosure prohibition
    2. 02§73 – publication of proceedings, no court permission
    3. 03Explanation to §73 – judgment exemption
    4. 04Nipun Saxena v UOI – guidelines
    17 min readRead →
  105. 105

    Section 152 Endangering Sovereignty

    Inside this note§ 152
    1. 01Kedar Nath Singh – incitement test
    2. 02S.G. Vombatkere – sedition suspended
    3. 03New modes – electronic & financial means
    4. 04Explanation – protected criticism
    18 min readRead →
  106. 106

    Common Object Constructive Liability

    Inside this noteBNS §190
    1. 01Unlawful assembly – §189 (5+ persons)
    2. 02Constructive liability – §190 two limbs
    3. 03Common object vs Common intention §3(5)
    4. 04Masalti v UP – corroboration safeguard
    19 min readRead →
  107. 107

    Common Intention vs Common Object

    Inside this noteBNS §3(5)/190
    1. 01Common intention – §3(5) BNS (old §34)
    2. 02Common object – §190 BNS (old §149)
    3. 03Two vs five persons distinction
    4. 04Barendra Kumar Ghosh – Postmaster case
    19 min readRead →
  108. 108

    Promoting Enmity Sections 196 197

    Inside this note§§ 196–197
    1. 01§196 – promoting enmity between groups
    2. 02§197 – imputations vs national integration
    3. 03Mens rea – intention/knowledge required
    4. 04§217 BNSS – prior sanction to prosecute
    19 min readRead →
  109. 109

    Perjury False Evidence

    Inside this noteBNS §227-229
    1. 01Giving false evidence – §227 BNS
    2. 02Fabricating false evidence – §228 BNS
    3. 03Punishment: 7yrs judicial, 3yrs other – §229
    4. 04§379 BNSS court-complaint procedure
    21 min readRead →
  110. 110

    Causing Disappearance Evidence Screening Offender

    Inside this noteBNS §238
    1. 01Two limbs – disappearance & false info §238
    2. 02Graduated punishment linked to underlying offence
    3. 03Intention to screen – gravamen of offence
    4. 04Kalawati v HP – screening framework
    18 min readRead →
  111. 111

    False Charge of Offence Section 248

    Inside this note§ 248
    1. 01Ingredients – instituting/false charge, no ground, intent
    2. 02Graduated punishment – 5 vs 10 years
    3. 03False charge vs malicious prosecution
    4. 04Santokh Singh v Izhar Hussain – formal accusation
    18 min readRead →
  112. 112

    Harbouring Offender Sections 249 to 253

    Inside this note§§ 249–253
    1. 01Spouse exception – §249
    2. 02Meaning of harbour – §2(13)
    3. 03Distinction from §238 screening evidence
    4. 04Kalawati v HP – AIR 1953 SC 131
    18 min readRead →
  113. 113

    Escape from Lawful Custody

    Inside this noteBNS §262-263
    1. 01Self-escape/resistance – §262 BNS
    2. 02Rescue of another – §263 BNS
    3. 03Harbouring escaped offender – §253
    4. 04Lawful custody as crucial element
    18 min readRead →
  114. 114

    Resistance Obstruction Lawful Apprehension

    Inside this noteBNS §221-263
    1. 01Obstructing public servant – §221 BNS
    2. 02Resistance to own apprehension – §262
    3. 03Resisting/rescuing another – §263
    4. 04Sanction requirement – §215 BNSS
    17 min readRead →
  115. 115

    Failure to Appear Bail Bond Section 269

    Inside this note§ 269
    1. 01Section 269 – failure to appear on bail
    2. 02Reverse burden – sufficient cause proviso
    3. 03Punishment in addition, without prejudice
    4. 04Balchand – bail is the rule
    19 min readRead →
  116. 116

    Snatching Section 304 BNS

    Inside this note§ 304 BNS
    1. 01Section 304 – snatching new offence
    2. 02Sudden/quick/forcible seizure element
    3. 03Snatching vs robbery – Section 309
    4. 04Punishment – 3yrs & mandatory fine
    18 min readRead →
  117. 117

    Theft vs Snatching

    Inside this noteBNS §303/304
    1. 01Theft §303 vs Snatching §304 BNS
    2. 02Stealth vs sudden/forcible seizure test
    3. 03Snatching – mandatory fine punishment
    4. 04K.N. Mehra – theft elements framework
    17 min readRead →
  118. 118

    Theft vs Extortion

    Inside this noteBNS §303/308
    1. 01Taking vs delivery – core test
    2. 02Consent: absent vs vitiated by fear
    3. 03Punishment: 3 yrs vs 7 yrs
    4. 04Robbery – aggravated theft/extortion §309
    18 min readRead →
  119. 119

    Theft vs Criminal Misappropriation

    Inside this noteBNS §303/314
    1. 01Taking vs conversion distinction
    2. 02Moment of dishonest intention differs
    3. 03Punishment: §303 vs §314 compared
    4. 04K.N. Mehra & Ramaswami Nadar cases
    18 min readRead →
  120. 120

    Misappropriation vs Breach of Trust

    Inside this noteBNS §314/316
    1. 01Entrustment – key distinction test
    2. 02§314 BNS – misappropriation (ex-§403 IPC)
    3. 03§316 BNS – breach of trust (ex-§405 IPC)
    4. 04Jaikrishnadas Desai v State of Bombay 1960
    19 min readRead →
  121. 121

    Breach of Trust vs Cheating

    Inside this noteBNS §316/318
    1. 01Entrustment vs deception – core test
    2. 02Hridaya Ranjan Prasad Verma – inception test
    3. 03Delhi Race Club (2024) – offences distinct
    4. 04Punishment: §316 vs §318(4) compared
    20 min readRead →
  122. 122

    Robbery vs Dacoity

    Inside this noteBNS §309/310
    1. 01Five-or-more persons – §310 dacoity
    2. 02Dacoity with murder – §310(3)
    3. 03Constructive liability – Shyam Behari
    4. 04Preparation & assembly for dacoity
    20 min readRead →
  123. 123

    Forgery Section 336 onwards

    Inside this note§ 336
    1. 01Forgery – §336 definition & punishment
    2. 02Forgery to cheat – §336(3)
    3. 03Court records/public docs forgery – §337
    4. 04Sheila Sebastian – false authorship req
    21 min readRead →
  124. 124

    False Document vs Forgery

    Inside this noteBNS §335/336
    1. 01§335 definition vs §336 offence
    2. 02Forgery = false doc + wrongful intent
    3. 03Three modes – false authorship etc
    4. 04Sheila Sebastian v Jawaharaj (2018)
    22 min readRead →
  125. 125

    Using Forged Document as Genuine Section 340

    Inside this note§ 340
    1. 01Punishment same as forgery – §340(1)
    2. 02Knowledge or reason to believe element
    3. 03Mohd. Ibrahim v State of Bihar (2009)
    4. 04Sheila Sebastian v Jawaharaj (2018)
    20 min readRead →
  126. 126

    Forgery Valuable Security Will Section 338

    Inside this note§ 338
    1. 01Life imprisonment – highest forgery tier
    2. 02Documents: valuable security, will, adoption authority
    3. 03Using forged security/will – §340 BNS
    4. 04Sheila Sebastian – false authorship test
    19 min readRead →
  127. 127

    Falsification of Accounts Section 344

    Inside this note§ 344
    1. 01Wilful & intent to defraud – core test
    2. 02Modes: destroy, alter, mutilate, falsify
    3. 03Interaction with breach of trust – §316
    4. 04R.K. Dalmia v Delhi Admn – 1962 SC
    20 min readRead →
  128. 128

    Property Marks Sections 345 to 350

    Inside this note§§ 345–350
    1. 01Property mark defined – §345
    2. 02Property mark vs trade mark distinction
    3. 03Counterfeiting property mark offence
    4. 04Sumat Prasad Jain v Sheojanam Prasad
    19 min readRead →
  129. 129

    BNS vs IPC Complete Comparative Study

    Inside this noteBNS
    1. 01Sedition §124A IPC → §152 BNS
    2. 02Community service – 6th punishment §4
    3. 03Murder 302 IPC → 103 BNS renumbering
    4. 04New offences – organised crime §111-113
    17 min readRead →
  130. 130

    New Offences Introduced by BNS

    Inside this noteBNS
    1. 01Organised crime – §111 BNS
    2. 02Mob lynching – §103(2) BNS
    3. 03Sexual intercourse by deceit – §69 BNS
    4. 04Community service punishment – §4 BNS
    20 min readRead →
  131. 131

    IPC Offences Omitted in BNS

    Inside this noteBNS
    1. 01Adultery §497 struck down – Joseph Shine
    2. 02Section 377 gap – Navtej Singh Johar
    3. 03Attempt to suicide narrowed – §226 BNS
    4. 04Thug provision – §310 IPC omitted
    20 min readRead →
  132. 132

    Changes in Punishments IPC and BNS

    Inside this noteBNS §4
    1. 01Community service – 6th punishment §4
    2. 02Mandatory minimums – rape, gang rape, acid attack
    3. 03Life imprisonment – remainder of natural life
    4. 04Rarest of rare doctrine – Bachan Singh
    18 min readRead →
  133. 133

    Renumbering IPC to BNS Reference Table

    Inside this noteBNS
    1. 01Murder: §302 IPC → §103 BNS
    2. 02Criminal conspiracy: §120B IPC → §61(2) BNS
    3. 03Mob lynching – new §103(2) BNS
    4. 04Cruelty: §498A IPC → §§85–86 BNS
    15 min readRead →
  134. 134

    Major Changes Introduced by BNS

    Inside this noteBNS
    1. 01Community service – 6th punishment (§4)
    2. 02Sedition replaced – §152 vs 124A IPC
    3. 03Adultery, §309 IPC decriminalised
    4. 04358 sections, 20 chapters vs 511/23
    16 min readRead →
  135. 135

    Applicability of IPC after 1 July 2024

    Inside this note§358 BNS
    1. 01Repeal & savings – §358 BNS
    2. 02Date-of-offence principle
    3. 03Art 20(1) – ex post facto bar
    4. 04Beneficial construction – T Barai, Rattan Lal
    22 min readRead →
  136. 136

    Important Judgments Interpreting BNS

    Inside this noteBNS
    1. 01Murder – §103 BNS = §302 IPC
    2. 02Sedition to §152 – Kedar Nath Singh
    3. 03Mob lynching §103(2) – Tehseen Poonawalla
    4. 04Organised crime §111 – Bharat Shanti Lal Shah
    22 min readRead →
  137. 137

    Organised Crime History Evolution

    Inside this noteBNS Organised Crim
    1. 01MCOCA 1999 – first state OC law
    2. 02Kartar Singh v Punjab – TADA validity
    3. 03Bharat Shanti Lal Shah – MCOCA upheld
    4. 04RICO Act & Palermo Convention
    17 min readRead →
  138. 138

    Actus Non Facit Reum

    Inside this noteCriminal law
    1. 01Actus reus – three limbs test
    2. 02Concurrence rule – Fagan v MPC
    3. 03Ranjit Udeshi v State of Maharashtra
    4. 04Strict liability & Sherras v De Rutzen factors
    13 min readRead →
  139. 139

    Basic Principles of Criminal Liability

    Inside this noteBNS General Princ
    1. 01Actus reus vs mens rea components
    2. 02Intention vs knowledge – §100 vs §103 BNS
    3. 03Mistake of fact – §14 & §17 BNS
    4. 04Proximity test – R v Eagleton
    20 min readRead →
  140. 140

    BNS Introduction to BNS

    Inside this noteBNS Overview
    1. 01Territorial reach – §1(3)-1(5)
    2. 02511→358 sections, 23→20 chapters
    3. 03Sedition §124A→§152 narrowed
    4. 04§377 dropped post Navtej Singh Johar
    13 min readRead →
  141. 141

    Burden of Proof

    Inside this noteBSA §104-120
    1. 01§104 BSA – general rule of proof
    2. 02§108 BSA – accused proving exceptions
    3. 03Woolmington v DPP – golden thread
    4. 04Reverse burden – §118 BSA dowry death
    18 min readRead →
  142. 142

    Criminal Force Assault Sections 74 to 79 BNS

    Inside this note§§ 74–79 BNS
    1. 01Modesty test – Major Singh v Punjab
    2. 02Rupan Deol Bajaj – §33 triviality excluded
    3. 03Vishaka guidelines – §75 foundation
    4. 04§74 vs §79 – assault vs words/gestures
    19 min readRead →
  143. 143

    Criminal Intimidation Section 351 BNS

    Inside this note§ 351 BNS
    1. 01Three ingredients – threat, injury, intent
    2. 02§351(3) enhanced punishment – death/fire/unchastity
    3. 03Manik Taneja – criticism not intimidation
    4. 04Distinction – intimidation vs assault vs extortion
    16 min readRead →
  144. 144

    Death by Negligence Section 106 BNS

    Inside this note§ 106 BNS
    1. 01§106(2) – hit and run, not in force
    2. 02Medical practitioner proviso – 2 yrs cap
    3. 03Jacob Mathew – gross negligence test
    4. 04Alister Pareira – drunk driving to §105
    18 min readRead →
  145. 145

    Exceptions to Murder Section 101 BNS

    Inside this note§ 101 BNS
    1. 01Exception 1 – grave & sudden provocation
    2. 02Nanavati v Maharashtra AIR 1962 SC 605
    3. 03Exception 4 – sudden fight, Ghapoo Yadav
    4. 04Exception 5 – consent, age above eighteen
    17 min readRead →
  146. 146

    Mala in se and Prohibita

    Inside this noteBNS – Mens Rea
    1. 01Blackstone's Commentaries binary
    2. 02Mens rea presumption – mala in se
    3. 03Mayer Hans George & Nathulal cited
    4. 04R v Prince & Sherras v De Rutzen
    10 min readRead →
  147. 147

    Stages of Crime

    Inside this noteBNS Gen Prin
    1. 01Locus poenitentiae principle
    2. 02Proximity test – R v Eagleton
    3. 03Attempt to murder – §109 BNS
    4. 04Malkiat Singh – preparation not attempt
    13 min readRead →
  148. 148

    Strict Absolute Liability

    Inside this noteTort/Crim
    1. 01Rylands v Fletcher – four essentials
    2. 02Mayer Hans George – no mens rea needed
    3. 03MC Mehta – absolute liability enterprise rule
    4. 04Bhopal gas – Union Carbide v UOI
    13 min readRead →
  149. 149

    Theory of Causation

    Inside this noteBNS §100
    1. 01But-for test – R v White
    2. 02Substantial cause test – R v Smith
    3. 03Thin skull rule – Explanation 1, §100 BNS
    4. 04Novus actus interveniens
    13 min readRead →