Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself justified, by law
Chapter 3: General exceptions
Nothing is an offence which is done by any person who is justified by law, or who by reason of a mistake of fact and not by reason of a mistake of law in good faith, believes himself to be justified by law, in doing it.
Illustration.
A sees Z commit what appears to A to be a murder. A, in the exercise, to the best of his judgment exerted in good faith, of the power which the law gives to all persons of apprehending murderers in the fact, seizes Z, in order to bring Z before the proper authorities. A has committed no offence, though it may turn out that Z was acting in self-defence.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 45 of 2023). As printed in the Gazette on 25 December 2023. Later amendments, if any, are not included.
Related sections
- 14Act done by a person bound, or by mistake of fact believing himself bound, by lawIPC 76
- 15Act of Judge when acting judiciallyIPC 77
- 16Act done pursuant to judgment or order of CourtIPC 78
- 18Accident in doing a lawful actIPC 80
- 19Act likely to cause harm, but done without criminal intent, and to prevent other harmIPC 81
- 20Act of a child under seven years of ageIPC 82