118. (1) Whoever, except in the case provided for by sub-section (1) of section 122, voluntarily causes hurt by means of any instrument for shooting, stabbing or cutting, or any instrument which, used as a weapon of offence, is likely to cause death, or by means of fire or any heated substance, or by means of any poison or any corrosive substance, or by means of any explosive substance, or by means of any substance which it is deleterious to the human body to inhale, to swallow, or to receive into the blood, or by means of any animal, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to twenty thousand rupees, or with both. (2) Whoever, except in the case provided for by sub-section (2) of section 122, voluntarily causes grievous hurt by any means referred to in sub-section (1), shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
BNS Section 118: Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means
Section 118 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deals with voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means. It replaces IPC 324, IPC 326 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Under the BNSS First Schedule, it depends on the sub-section: 118(1) is cognizable and non-bailable; 118(2) is cognizable and non-bailable.
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Bail, cognizability and punishment
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 118(1) | Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means. | Imprisonment for 3 years, or fine of 20,000 rupees, or both. | Cognizable | Non-bailable | Any Magistrate |
| 118(2) | Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means [except as provided in section 122(2)]. | Imprisonment for life or imprisonment of not less than 1 year but which may extend to 10 years and fine. | Cognizable | Non-bailable | Magistrate of the first class |
Source: BNSS, 2023, First Schedule, Part I.
Text of BNS Section 118
IPC sections replaced
- IPC 324: Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means
- IPC 326: Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means → BNS 118(2)
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