IPC § 103 · Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Repealed on 1 July 2024

Section 103 IPC — When the right of private defence of property extends to causing death

Replaced from 1 July 2024 by BNS 41 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Offences committed on or before 30 June 2024 are still charged under the IPC.

The law now: BNS 41 — When right of private defence of property extends to causing death

The right of private defence of property extends, under the restrictions specified in section 37, to the voluntary causing of death or of any other harm to the wrong-doer, if the offence, the committing of which, or the attempting to commit which, occasions the exercise of the right, be an offence of any of the descriptions hereinafter enumerated, namely: —

(a) robbery;

(b) house-breaking after sunset and before sunrise;

(c) mischief by fire or any explosive substance committed on any building, tent or vessel, which building, tent or vessel is used as a human dwelling, or as a place for the custody of property;

(d) theft, mischief, or house-trespass, under such circumstances as may reasonably cause apprehension that death or grievous hurt will be the consequence, if such right of private defence is not exercised.

Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in). The Gazette of India is the authoritative text. BNS 41 in full

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