BNS 123 — Causing hurt by means of poison, etc., with intent to commit an offence.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Statutory text

123. Whoever administers to or causes to be taken by any person
any poison or any stupefying, intoxicating or unwholesome drug, or other
thing with intent to cause hurt to such person, or with intent to commit or
to facilitate the commission of an offence or knowing it to be likely that he
will  thereby  cause  hurt,  shall  be  punished  with  imprisonment  of  either
description  for  a  term  which  may  extend  to  ten  years,  and  shall  also  be
liable to fine.
Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc.
124.(1) Whoever causes permanent or partial damage or deformity
to,  or  burns  or  maims  or  disfigures  or  disables,  any  part  or  parts  of  the
body  of  a  person  or  causes  grievous  hurt  by  throwing  acid  on  or  by
administering acid to that person, or by using any other  means with  the
intention of causing or with the knowledge that he is likely to cause such
injury  or  hurt  or  causes  a  person  to  be  in  a  permanent  vegetative  state
shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which
shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to imprisonment for
life, and with fine:
Provided  that  such  fine  shall  be  just  and  reasonable  to  meet  the
medical expenses of the treatment of the victim:
Provided further that any fine  imposed under this  sub-section shall
be paid to the victim.
 (2)  Whoever  throws  or  attempts  to  throw  acid  on  any  person  or
attempts to administer acid to any person, or attempts to use any other
means,  with  the  intention  of  causing  permanent  or  partial  damage  or
deformity  or  burns  or  maiming  or  disfigurement  or  disability  or  grievous
hurt  to  that  person,  shall  be  punished  with  imprisonment  of  either
description for a term which shall not be less than five years but which may
extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Explanation 1.—For the purposes of this section, “acid” includes any
substance which has acidic or corrosive character or burning nature, that
is  capable  of  causing  bodily  injury  leading  to scars  or  disfigurement  or
temporary or permanent disability.
Explanation 2.—For the purposes of this section, permanent or partial
damage or deformity or permanent vegetative state shall not be required
to be irreversible.
Act endangering life or personal safety of others.

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