BNS · Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 36 BNS

Right of private defence against act of a person of unsound mind, etc

Offence

When an act, which would otherwise be a certain offence, is not that offence, by reason of the 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 defence against that act which he would have if the act were that offence.

Illustration

(a) Z, a person of unsound mind, attempts to kill A; Z is guilty of no offence. ButA has the same right of private defence which he would have if Z were sane.

(b) A enters by night a house which he is legally entitled to enter. Z, in good faith, taking A for a house-breaker, attacks A. Here Z, by attacking A under this misconception, commits no offence. But A has the same right of private defence against Z, which he would have if Z were not acting under that misconception.

FAQ — Section 36 BNS

Section 36 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) deals with “Right of private defence against act of a person of unsound mind, etc”. This page explains the offence (if any), punishment, and links to Vaksera petition formats.

When an act, which would otherwise be a certain offence, is not that offence, by reason of the 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 defence against that act which he would have if the act were that offence. Illustration (a) Z, a person of unsound mind, attempts to kill A; Z is guilty of no offence. ButA has t

No. Vaksera provides a drafting reference and petition formats only. Always verify the current bare act and local court practice.

Statute summaries on Vaksera are for advocate drafting reference only, not legal advice. Verify the current bare act and court rules before filing.