hurt

Section 114 BNS (old s.319 IPC) defines hurt as causing bodily pain, disease or infirmity to any person. No visible injury is needed: a slap that causes pain is hurt. A person voluntarily causes hurt when he does an act intending to cause hurt, or knowing he is likely to cause it, and hurt results (s.115(1), old s.321); the punishment is in s.115(2) (old s.323).

Hurt is the base offence; if the injury falls within one of the eight kinds listed in s.116, it is grievous hurt and more severely punished. Aggravated forms include hurt by dangerous weapons and hurt to extort confession or property. Hurt caused on grave and sudden provocation is punished more lightly. A common error is to call every serious-looking injury grievous; unless it fits s.116, it remains simple hurt.

Example

Pushing a classmate so that he falls and bruises his arm is voluntarily causing hurt under s.115, but not grievous hurt.

In Indian law

• Sections 114–115, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (old ss.319, 321 and 323 IPC)

See also

grievous hurt · assault · battery

Read more in the study notes

• Lok Adalats and Permanent Lok Adalats (Alternative Dispute Resolution Systems)
• Framing of charge and joinder of charges (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita)
• Jurisdiction in inquiries and trials, evidence, and general provisions as to inquiries and trials (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita)
• Compounding of offences and plea bargaining (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita)
• From the IPC to the BNS: background, extent and key reforms (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)
• Punishments under the BNS, including community service (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)