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.
IPC Section 324 in BNS: Section 118
Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means
Section 324 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means) corresponds to Section 118 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNSS First Schedule, BNS 118(1) is cognizable, non-bailable, triable by Any Magistrate; punishment: Imprisonment for 3 years, or fine of 20,000 rupees, or both.
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.
The BNS applies to offences committed on or after 1 July 2024. Offences committed earlier are charged and tried under the IPC.
Text of BNS Section 118
Full BNS Section 118 and every IPC section it replaced →
Other IPC sections now in BNS 118
- IPC 326: Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means → BNS 118(2)
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