Section 18 Earlier IPC 80
Accident in doing a lawful act
Chapter 3: General exceptions
Nothing is an offence which is done by accident or misfortune, and without any criminal intention or knowledge in the doing of a lawful act in a lawful manner by lawful means and with proper care and caution.
Illustration.
A is at work with a hatchet; the head flies off and kills a man who is standing by. Here, if there was no want of proper caution on the part of A, his act is excusable and not an offence.
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
- 15Act of Judge when acting judiciallyIPC 77
- 16Act done pursuant to judgment or order of CourtIPC 78
- 17Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself justified, by lawIPC 79
- 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
- 21Act of a child above seven and under twelve years of age of immature understandingIPC 83