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CHAPTER III GENERAL EXCEPTIONS · Of right of private defence

Section 44: Right of private defence against deadly assault when there is risk of harm to innocent person

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

If in the exercise of the right of private defence against an assault which reasonably causes the apprehension of death, the defender be so situated that he cannot effectually exercise that right without risk of harm to an innocent person, his right of private defence extends to the running of that risk.

Illustration.

A is attacked by a mob who attempt to murder him. He cannot effectually exercise his right of private defence without firing on the mob, and he cannot fire without risk of harming young children who are mingled with the mob. A commits no offence if by so firing he harms any of the children.

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 44.

Practise questions on Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita