Indian Penal Code, 1860
IPC Chapter 2
GENERAL EXPLANATIONS
Section 7 — Sense of expression once explained
Offence
Every expression which is explained in any part of this Code, is used in every part of this Code in conformity with the Explanation.
Every expression which is explained in any part of this Code, is used in every part of this Code in conformity with the Explanation.
Section 8 — Gender
Offence
The pronoun “he” and its derivatives are used for any person, whether male or female.
The pronoun “he” and its derivatives are used for any person, whether male or female.
Section 9 — Number
Offence
Unless the contrary appears from the context, words importing the singular number include the plural number, and words importing the plural number include the singular number.
Unless the contrary appears from the context, words importing the singular number include the plural number, and words importing the plural number include the singular number.
Section 10 — Man and Woman
Offence
The word “man” denotes a male human being of any age;
The word “woman” denotes a female human being of any age.
The word “man” denotes a male human being of any age;
The word “woman” denotes a female human being of any age.
Section 11 — Person
Offence
The word “person” includes any Company or Association or body of persons, whether incorporated or not.
The word “person” includes any Company or Association or body of persons, whether incorporated or not.
Section 12 — Public
Offence
The word “public” includes any class of the public or any community.
The word “public” includes any class of the public or any community.
Section 13 — Queen
Offence
[Repealed by the A. O. 1950]
[Repealed by the A. O. 1950]
Section 14 — Servant of Government
Offence
The words “servant of Government” denote any officer or servant continued, appointed or employed in India by or under the authority of Government.
The words “servant of Government” denote any officer or servant continued, appointed or employed in India by or under the authority of Government.
Section 15 — British India
Offence
Repealed by A. O. 1937.
Repealed by A. O. 1937.
Section 16 — Government of India
Offence
Repealed ibid.
Repealed ibid.
Section 17 — Government
Offence
The word “Government” denotes the Central Government or the Government of a State.
The word “Government” denotes the Central Government or the Government of a State.
Section 18 — India
Offence
“India” means the territory of India excluding the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
“India” means the territory of India excluding the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Section 19 — Judge
Offence
The word “Judge” denotes not only every person who is officially designated as a Judge, but also every person.
who is empowered by law to give, in any legal proceeding, civil or criminal, a definitive judgment, or a judgment which, if not appealed against, would be definitive, or a judgment which, if confirmed by some other authority, would be definitive, or who is one of a body of persons, which body of persons is empowered by law to give such a judgment.
The word “Judge” denotes not only every person who is officially designated as a Judge, but also every person.
who is empowered by law to give, in any legal proceeding, civil or criminal, a definitive judgment, or a judgment which, if not appealed against, would be definitive, or a judgment which, if confirmed by some other authority, would be definitive, or who is one of a body of persons, which body of persons is empowered by law to give such a judgment.
Section 20 — Court of Justice
Offence
The words “Court of Justice” denote a Judge who is empowered by law to act judicially alone, or a body of Judges which is empowered by law to act judicially as a body, when such Judge or body of Judges is acting judicially.
The words “Court of Justice” denote a Judge who is empowered by law to act judicially alone, or a body of Judges which is empowered by law to act judicially as a body, when such Judge or body of Judges is acting judicially.
Section 21 — Public servant
Offence
The words “public servant” denote a person falling under any of the descriptions hereinafter following, namely:
The words “public servant” denote a person falling under any of the descriptions hereinafter following, namely:
Section 22 — Movable property
Offence
The words “movable property” are intended to include corporeal property of every description, except land and things attached to the earth or permanently fastened to anything which is attached to the earth.
The words “movable property” are intended to include corporeal property of every description, except land and things attached to the earth or permanently fastened to anything which is attached to the earth.
Section 23 — Wrongful gain
Offence
“Wrongful gain”: Wrongful gain is gain by unlawful means of property to which the person gaining is not legally entitled.
“Wrongful loss”: Wrongful loss is the loss by unlawful means of property to which the person losing it is legally entitled.
“Gaining wrongfully”: A person is said to gain wrongfully when such person retains wrongfully, as well as when such person acquires wrongfully.
“Losing wrongfully”: A person is said to lose wrongfully when such person is wrongfully kept out of any property, as well as when such person is wrongfully deprived of property.
“Wrongful gain”: Wrongful gain is gain by unlawful means of property to which the person gaining is not legally entitled.
“Wrongful loss”: Wrongful loss is the loss by unlawful means of property to which the person losing it is legally entitled.
“Gaining wrongfully”: A person is said to gain wrongfully when such person retains wrongfully, as well as when such person acquires wrongfully.
“Losing wrongfully”: A person is said to lose wrongfully when such person is wrongfully kept out of any property, as well as when such person is wrongfully deprived of property.
Section 24 — Dishonestly
Offence
Whoever does anything with the intention of causing wrongful gain to one person or wrongful loss to another person, is said to do that thing “dishonestly”.
Whoever does anything with the intention of causing wrongful gain to one person or wrongful loss to another person, is said to do that thing “dishonestly”.
Section 25 — Fraudulently
Offence
A person is said to do a thing fraudulently if he does that thing with intent to defraud but not otherwise.
A person is said to do a thing fraudulently if he does that thing with intent to defraud but not otherwise.
Section 26 — Reason to believe
Offence
A person is said to have “reason to believe” a thing, if he has sufficient cause to believe that thing but not otherwise.
A person is said to have “reason to believe” a thing, if he has sufficient cause to believe that thing but not otherwise.
Section 27 — Property in possession of wife, clerk or servant
Offence
When property is in the possession of a person’s wife, clerk or servant, on account of that person, it is in that person’s possession within the meaning of this Code.
When property is in the possession of a person’s wife, clerk or servant, on account of that person, it is in that person’s possession within the meaning of this Code.
Section 28 — Counterfeit
Offence
A person is said to “counterfeit” who causes one thing to resemble another thing, intending by means of that resemblance to practice deception, or knowing it to be likely that deception will thereby be practiced.
A person is said to “counterfeit” who causes one thing to resemble another thing, intending by means of that resemblance to practice deception, or knowing it to be likely that deception will thereby be practiced.
Section 29 — Document
Offence
The word “document” denotes any matter expressed or described upon any substance by means of letters, figures or marks, or by more than one of those means, intended to be used, or which may be used, as evidence of that matter.
The word “document” denotes any matter expressed or described upon any substance by means of letters, figures or marks, or by more than one of those means, intended to be used, or which may be used, as evidence of that matter.
Section 29A — Electronic record
Offence
The words “electronic record” shall have the meaning assigned to them in clause (t) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The words “electronic record” shall have the meaning assigned to them in clause (t) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Section 30 — Valuable security
Offence
The words “valuable security” denote a document which is, or purports to be, a document whereby any legal right is created, extended, transferred, restricted, extinguished or released, or who hereby any person acknowledges that he lies under legal liability, or has not a certain legal right.
The words “valuable security” denote a document which is, or purports to be, a document whereby any legal right is created, extended, transferred, restricted, extinguished or released, or who hereby any person acknowledges that he lies under legal liability, or has not a certain legal right.
Section 31 — A will
Offence
The words “a will” denote any testamentary document.
The words “a will” denote any testamentary document.
Section 32 — Words referring to acts include illegal omissions
Offence
In every part of this Code, except where a contrary intention appears from the context, words which refer to acts done extend also to illegal omissions.
In every part of this Code, except where a contrary intention appears from the context, words which refer to acts done extend also to illegal omissions.
Section 33 — Act . Omission
Offence
The word “act” denotes as well as series of acts as a single act: the word “omission” denotes as well a series of omissions as a single omission.
The word “act” denotes as well as series of acts as a single act: the word “omission” denotes as well a series of omissions as a single omission.
Section 34 — Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention -
Offence
When a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all, each of such persons is liable for that act in the same manner as if it were done by him alone.
When a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all, each of such persons is liable for that act in the same manner as if it were done by him alone.
Section 35 — When such an act is criminal by reason of its being done with a criminal knowledge or intention
Offence
Whenever an act, which is criminal only by reason of its being done with a criminal knowledge or intention, is done by several persons, each of such persons who joins in the act with such knowledge or intention is liable for the act in the same manner as if the act were done by him alone with that knowledge or intention.
Whenever an act, which is criminal only by reason of its being done with a criminal knowledge or intention, is done by several persons, each of such persons who joins in the act with such knowledge or intention is liable for the act in the same manner as if the act were done by him alone with that knowledge or intention.
Section 36 — Effect caused partly by act and partly by omission
Offence
Wherever the causing of a certain effect, or an attempt to cause that effect, by an act or by an omission, is an offence, it is to be understood that the causing of that effect partly by an act and partly by an omission is the same offence.
Wherever the causing of a certain effect, or an attempt to cause that effect, by an act or by an omission, is an offence, it is to be understood that the causing of that effect partly by an act and partly by an omission is the same offence.
Section 37 — Co-operation by doing one of several acts constituting an offence
Offence
When an offence is committed by means of several acts, whoever intentionally co-operates in the commission of that offence by doing any one of those acts, either singly or jointly with any other person, commits that offence.
When an offence is committed by means of several acts, whoever intentionally co-operates in the commission of that offence by doing any one of those acts, either singly or jointly with any other person, commits that offence.
Section 38 — Persons concerned in criminal Act may be guilty of different offences
Offence
Where several persons are engaged or concerned in the commission of a criminal act, they may be guilty of different offences by means of that act.
Where several persons are engaged or concerned in the commission of a criminal act, they may be guilty of different offences by means of that act.
Section 39 — Voluntarily
Offence
A person is said to cause an effect “voluntarily” when he causes it by means whereby he intended to cause it, or by means which, at the time of employing those means, he knew or had reason to believe to be likely to cause it.
A person is said to cause an effect “voluntarily” when he causes it by means whereby he intended to cause it, or by means which, at the time of employing those means, he knew or had reason to believe to be likely to cause it.
Section 40 — Offence
Offence
Except in the Chapters and sections mentioned in clauses 2 and 3 of this section, the word “offence” denotes a thing made punishable by this Code.
Except in the Chapters and sections mentioned in clauses 2 and 3 of this section, the word “offence” denotes a thing made punishable by this Code.
Section 41 — Special law
Offence
A “special law” is a law applicable to a particular subject.
A “special law” is a law applicable to a particular subject.
Section 42 — Local law
Offence
A “local law” is a law applicable only to a particular part of India.
A “local law” is a law applicable only to a particular part of India.
Section 43 — Illegal . Legally bound to do
Offence
The word “illegal” is applicable to everything which is an offence or which is prohibited by law, or which furnishes ground for a civil action; and a person is said to be “legally bound to do” whatever it is illegal in him to omit.
The word “illegal” is applicable to everything which is an offence or which is prohibited by law, or which furnishes ground for a civil action; and a person is said to be “legally bound to do” whatever it is illegal in him to omit.
Section 44 — Injury
Offence
The word “injury” denotes any harm whatsoever illegally caused to any person, in body, mind, reputation or property.
The word “injury” denotes any harm whatsoever illegally caused to any person, in body, mind, reputation or property.
Section 45 — Life
Offence
The word “life” denotes the life of a human being, unless the contrary appears from the context.
The word “life” denotes the life of a human being, unless the contrary appears from the context.
Section 46 — Death
Offence
The word “death” denotes the death of a human being unless the contrary appears from the context.
The word “death” denotes the death of a human being unless the contrary appears from the context.
- Punishment may include death.
Section 47 — Animal
Offence
The word “animal” denotes any living creature, other than a human being.
The word “animal” denotes any living creature, other than a human being.
Section 48 — Vessel
Offence
The word “vessel” denotes anything made for the conveyance by water of human beings or of property.
The word “vessel” denotes anything made for the conveyance by water of human beings or of property.
Section 49 — Year . Month
Offence
Wherever the word “year” or the word “month” is used, it is to be understood that the year or the month is to be reckoned according to the British calendar.
Wherever the word “year” or the word “month” is used, it is to be understood that the year or the month is to be reckoned according to the British calendar.
Section 50 — Section
Offence
The word “section” denotes one of those portions of a Chapter of this Code which are distinguished by prefixed numeral figures.
The word “section” denotes one of those portions of a Chapter of this Code which are distinguished by prefixed numeral figures.
Section 51 — Oath
Offence
The word “oath” includes a solemn affirmation substituted by law for an oath, and any declaration required or authorized by law to be made before a public servant or to be used for the purpose of proof, whether in a Court of Justice or not.
The word “oath” includes a solemn affirmation substituted by law for an oath, and any declaration required or authorized by law to be made before a public servant or to be used for the purpose of proof, whether in a Court of Justice or not.
Section 52 — Good faith
Offence
Nothing is said to be done or believed in “good faith” which is done or believed without due care and attention.
Nothing is said to be done or believed in “good faith” which is done or believed without due care and attention.
Section 52A — Harbour
Offence
Except in section 157, and in section 130 in the case in which the harbour is given by the wife or husband of the person harboured, the word “harbour” includes the supplying a person with shelter, food, drink, money, clothes, arms, ammunition or means of conveyance, or the assisting a person by any means, whether of the same kind as those enumerated in this section or not, to evade apprehension.
Except in section 157, and in section 130 in the case in which the harbour is given by the wife or husband of the person harboured, the word “harbour” includes the supplying a person with shelter, food, drink, money, clothes, arms, ammunition or means of conveyance, or the assisting a person by any means, whether of the same kind as those enumerated in this section or not, to evade apprehension.