BNS Section 16 — Act done pursuant to judgment or order of Court

Summary

Nothing done under a court's judgment or order is an offence, as long as it is done while that judgment or order is still in force. This applies even if the court actually had no legal authority to pass that judgment or order, provided the person carrying out the act honestly believed, in good faith, that the court did have that authority.

Official Text

Nothing which is done in pursuance of, or which is warranted by the judgment or order of, a Court; if done whilst such judgment or order remains in force, is an offence, notwithstanding the Court may have had no jurisdiction to pass such judgment or order, provided the person doing the act in good faith believes that the Court had such jurisdiction.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1531 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.7 p.105 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.280 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.8 p.670 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.4 p.2730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.6 p.129 — Supreme Court of India (2024)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• IPC §78 — Act done pursuant to judgment or order of Court