BNS Section 39 — When such right extends to causing any harm other than death

Summary

If the offence committed by the assailant is not one of the types listed in section 38, then the right of private defence of the body does not allow you to voluntarily cause the death of the assailant. However, under the restrictions mentioned in section 37, your right of private defence does allow you to voluntarily cause any harm to the assailant that is not death.

Official Text

If the offence be not of any of the descriptions specified in section 38, the right of private defence of the body does not extend to the voluntary causing of death to the assailant, but does extend, under the restrictions specified in section 37, to the voluntary causing to the assailant of any harm other than death.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.280 — 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 (2024) Vol.8 p.670 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2024) Vol.6 p.129 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.2 p.80 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.4 p.2730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• IPC §101 — When such right extends to causing any harm other than death