BNS Section 31 — Communication made in good faith

Summary

A communication made in good faith is not an offence, even if it causes harm to the person it is made to, as long as the communication is made for that person's benefit. This means that if you honestly and sincerely share something with someone for their own good, you are not guilty of a crime simply because the message hurts them or causes them distress.

The illustration given is of a surgeon who, in good faith, tells a patient that he cannot live. The patient dies from the shock of hearing this news. The surgeon has committed no offence, even though he knew it was likely that the communication might cause the patient's death.

Official Text

No communication made in good faith is an offence by reason of any harm to the person to whom it is made, if it is made for the benefit of that person.

Illustration. A, a surgeon, in good faith, communicates to a patient his opinion that he cannot live. The patient dies in consequence of the shock. A has committed no offence, though he knew it to be likely that the communication might cause the patient’s death.

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

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• IPC §93 — Communication made in good faith