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CHAPTER VI OF OFFENCES AFFECTING THE HUMAN BODY · Of criminal force and assault

Section 128: Force

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

A person is said to use force to another if he causes motion, change of motion, or cessation of motion to that other, or if he causes to any substance such motion, or change of motion, or cessation of motion as brings that substance into contact with any part of that other’s body, or with anything which that other is wearing or carrying, or with anything so situated that such contact affects that other’s sense of feeling:

Provided that the person causing the motion, or change of motion, or cessation of motion, causes that motion, change of motion, or cessation of motion in one of the following three ways, namely:—

(a) by his own bodily power;

(b) by disposing any substance in such a manner that the motion or change or cessation of motion takes place without any further act on his part, or on the part of any other person;

(c) by inducing any animal to move, to change its motion, or to cease to move.

Corresponding IPC provision

As given in the correspondence table of the National Crime Records Bureau (Ministry of Home Affairs). Read both texts before relying on it. NCRB table

Questions on this section

1 question in 6 of our papers cite Section 128. Try these from the free papers:

  1. 1. Consider the following statements under Sections 128 and 129 BNS: 1. A person may use force to another by inducing any animal to move, to change its motion or to cease to move. 2. A unfastens the moorings of a boat in which Z is sitting, so that the boat drifts down the stream. A has used force to Z. 3. A intentionally pulls up a woman's veil without her consent, intending to annoy her. A has not used criminal force, since he did not touch her body. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Practise questions on Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita