Section 17 BNS: Act Done By A Person Justified, Or By Mistake Of Fact Believing Himself Justified, By Law

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Section 17 BNS | BNS 17 | BNS Section 17

Nothing is an offence which is done by any person who is justified by law, or who by reason of a mistake of fact and not by reason of a mistake of law in good faith, believes himself to be justified by law, in doing it.

Illustration

A sees Z commit what appears to A to be a murder. A, in the exercise, to the best of his judgment exerted in good faith, of the power which the law gives to all persons of apprehending murderers in the fact, seizes Z, in order to bring Z before the proper authorities. A has committed no offence, though it may turn out that Z was acting in self-defence.

READ OTHER SECTIONS OF CHAPTER III — GENERAL EXCEPTIONS

Section No.	Section Title
14	Act done by a person bound, or by mistake of fact believing himself bound, by law.
15	Act of Judge when acting judicially.
16	Act done pursuant to judgment or order of Court.
17	Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself justified, by law.
18	Accident in doing a lawful act.
19	Act likely to cause harm, but done without criminal intent, and to prevent other harm.
20	Act of a child under seven years of age.
21	Act of a child above seven and under twelve years of age of immature understanding.
22	Act of a person of unsound mind.
23	Act of a person incapable of judgment by reason of intoxication caused against his will.
24	Offence requiring a particular intent or knowledge committed by one who is intoxicated.
25	Act not intended and not known to be likely to cause death or grievous hurt, done by consent.
26	Act not intended to cause death, done by consent in good faith for person’s benefit.
27	Act done in good faith for benefit of child or person of unsound mind, by, or by consent of guardian.
28	Consent known to be given under fear or misconception.
29	Exclusion of acts which are offences independently of harm caused.
30	Act done in good faith for benefit of a person without consent.
31	Communication made in good faith.
32	Act to which a person is compelled by threats.
33	Act causing slight harm.
	Of Right Of Private Defence
34	Things done in private defence.
35	Right of private defence of body and of property.
36	Right of private defence against act of a person of unsound mind, etc.
37	Acts against which there is no right of private defence.
38	When right of private defence of body extends to causing death.
39	When such right extends to causing any harm other than death.
40	Commencement and continuance of right of private defence of body.
41	When right of private defence of property extends to causing death.
42	When such right extends to causing any harm other than death.
43	Commencement and continuance of right of private defence of property.
44	Right of private defence against deadly assault when there is risk of harm to innocent person.