IPC Section 320 — Grievous hurt

Summary

This section lists the specific types of injuries that the law considers to be “grievous hurt.” These include permanent loss of sight in one eye, permanent loss of hearing in one ear, loss of any body part or joint, or permanent damage to how a body part or joint works. It also covers permanent disfigurement of the head or face, a broken or dislocated bone or tooth, and any injury that puts a person’s life in danger or causes them severe pain for twenty days or prevents them from doing their normal daily activities for that period.

Official Text

The following kinds of hurt only are designated as “grievous”: Emasculation.
Permanent privation of the sight of either eye.
Permanent privation of the hearing of either ear.
Privation of any member or joint.
Destruction or permanent impairing of the powers of any member or joint.
Permanent disfiguration of the head or face.
Fracture or dislocation of a bone or tooth.
Any hurt which endangers life or which causes the sufferer to be during the space of twenty days in severe bodily pain, or unable to follow his ordinary pursuits.

Related Provisions

grievous hurt

• BNS §116 — Grievous hurt
• BNS §117 — Voluntarily causing grievous hurt
• IPC §325 — Punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt

Referred to by

• Consumer Protection Act §90 — Punishment for manufacturing for sale or storing, selling or distributing or importing products containing adulterant
• Motor Vehicles Act §145 — Definitions

Related Judgments

• KHURSHEED AND ANR. vs STATE OF U.P. AND ANR — Supreme Court of India (2007)
• HORI LAL AND ANR. vs STATE OF U.P — Supreme Court of India (1969)
• MATHAI vs STATE OF KERALA — Supreme Court of India (2005)
• JAMEEL vs STATE OF U.P — Supreme Court of India (2009)
• SOMAN vs STATE OF KERALA — Supreme Court of India (2012)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• BNS §116 — Grievous hurt