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BNS, 2023
Start Practicing
BNSChapter IIISection 33
Section33

Act causing slight harm

AI Assist

Summary

If an act causes, intends to cause, or is known likely to cause harm, it is not an offence when the harm is so trivial that no person of ordinary sense and temper would complain. Applies where the injury or inconvenience is minimal, like a tiny bruise, a small stain, or momentary annoyance. Consequence: no criminal liability for such trivial harm.

Example

Meera accidentally bumps into Ravi on a crowded bus and leaves a faint red mark on his arm but no pain or lasting injury. Because the harm is so slight that no person of ordinary sense and temper would complain, Meera’s act would not be treated as an offence under this rule.

Bare Act

Enacted text

Nothing is an offence by reason that it causes, or that it is 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.

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III

Chapter III

General Exceptions

In this chapter

  • 14Act done by a person bound, or by mistake of fact believing himself bound, by law
  • 15Act of Judge when acting judicially
  • 16Act done pursuant to the judgment or order of Court
  • 17Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself, justified, by law
  • 18Accident in doing a lawful act
  • 19Act likely to cause harm, but done without criminal intent, and to prevent other harm
  • 20Act of a child under seven years of age
  • 21Act of a child above seven and under twelve of immature understanding
  • 22Act of a person of unsound mind
  • 23Act of a person incapable of judgment by reason of intoxication caused against his will
  • 24Offence requiring a particular intent or knowledge committed by one who is intoxicated
  • 25Act not intended and not known to be likely to cause death or grievous hurt, done by consent
  • 26Act not intended to cause death, done by consent in good faith for person’s benefit
  • 27Act done in good faith for benefit of child or person with unsound mind, by or by consent of guardian
  • 28Consent known to be given under fear or misconception
  • 29Exclusion of acts which are offences independently of harm caused
  • 30Act done in good faith for benefit of a person without consent
  • 31Communication made in good faith
  • 32Act to which a person compelled by threats
  • 33Act causing slight harm
  • 34Things done in private defence
  • 35Right of private defence of the body and of property
  • 36Right of private defence against the act of a person with unsound mind, etc
  • 37Acts against which there is no right of private defence
  • 38When the right of private defence of the body extends to causing death
  • 39When such right extends to causing any harm other than death
  • 40Commencement and continuance of the right of private defence of the body
  • 41When the right of private defence of property extends to causing death
  • 42When such right extends to causing any harm other than death
  • 43Commencement and continuance of the right of private defence of property
  • 44Right of private defence against deadly assault when there is risk of harm to innocent person
Previous · Section 32Act to which a person compelled by threatsNext · Section 34Things done in private defence