BNS Section 124 — Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc
CHAPTER VI OF OFFENCES AFFECTING THE HUMAN BODY — Of hurt
Criminal
Summary
Sub-section (1) covers a person who causes permanent or partial damage or deformity to any part of another person's body, or burns, maims, disfigures, or disables that person, or causes grievous hurt by throwing acid on them, administering acid to them, or using any other means. This applies when the person acts with the intention of causing such injury or hurt, or with the knowledge that they are likely to cause it. It also covers causing a person to be in a permanent vegetative state. The punishment for this is imprisonment of either description for a term of not less than ten years, which may extend to imprisonment for life, along with a fine.
The first proviso to sub-section (1) states that the fine imposed must be just and reasonable, and should be enough to meet the medical expenses of treating the victim.
The second proviso to sub-section (1) states that any fine imposed under this sub-section must be paid to the victim.
Sub-section (2) covers a person who throws or attempts to throw acid on another person, or attempts to administer acid to that person, or attempts to use any other means, with the intention of causing permanent or partial damage or deformity, burns, maiming, disfigurement, disability, or grievous hurt to that person. The punishment for this is imprisonment of either description for a term of not less than five years but which may extend to seven years, and the person shall also be liable to a fine.
Explanation 1 states that, for the purposes of this section, the term acid includes any substance which has an acidic or corrosive character or a burning nature, and which is capable of causing bodily injury leading to scars, disfigurement, or temporary or permanent disability.
Explanation 2 states that, for the purposes of this section, permanent or partial damage or deformity or a permanent vegetative state does not need to be irreversible.
Official Text
(1) Whoever causes permanent or partial damage or deformity to, or burns or maims or disfigures or disables, any part or parts of the body of a person or causes grievous hurt by throwing acid on or by administering acid to that person, or by using any other means with the intention of causing or with the knowledge that he is likely to cause such injury or hurt or causes a person to be in a permanent vegetative state shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and with fine:
Provided that such fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses of the treatment of the victim:
Provided further that any fine imposed under this sub-section shall be paid to the victim.
(2) Whoever throws or attempts to throw acid on any person or attempts to administer acid to any person, or attempts to use any other means, with the intention of causing permanent or partial damage or deformity or burns or maiming or disfigurement or disability or grievous hurt to that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than five years but which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Explanation 1.—For the purposes of this section, “acid” includes any substance which has acidic or corrosive character or burning nature, that is capable of causing bodily injury leading to scars or disfigurement or temporary or permanent disability.
Explanation 2.—For the purposes of this section, permanent or partial damage or deformity or permanent vegetative state shall not be required to be irreversible.
Related Judgments
- SC (2025) Vol.6 p.280 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
- SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
- MAQBOOL v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH AND ANOTHER — Supreme Court of India (2018)
- CRL A/861/2016 — Madras High Court (2016)
- SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
- S.C.R. OMANAKUTTAN v. THE STATE OF KERALA — Supreme Court of India (2019)
- SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1531 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
- SC (2024) Vol.8 p.670 — Supreme Court of India (2024)