BNS 17 — Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself justified, by law.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Statutory text

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.
Accident in doing a lawful act.

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