124. (1) Whoever causes permanent or partial damage or deformity to, or burns or maims or disfigures or disables, any part or parts of the body of a person or causes grievous hurt by throwing acid on or by administering acid to that person, or by using any other means with the intention of causing or with the knowledge that he is likely to cause such injury or hurt or causes a person to be in a permanent vegetative state shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and with fine: Provided that such fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses of the treatment of the victim: Provided further that any fine imposed under this sub-section shall be paid to the victim. (2) Whoever throws or attempts to throw acid on any person or attempts to administer acid to any person, or attempts to use any other means, with the intention of causing permanent or partial damage or deformity or burns or maiming or disfigurement or disability or grievous hurt to that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than five years but which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine. Explanation 1.—For the purposes of this section, "acid" includes any substance which has acidic or corrosive character or burning nature, that is capable of causing bodily injury leading to scars or disfigurement or temporary or permanent disability. Explanation 2.—For the purposes of this section, permanent or partial damage or deformity or permanent vegetative state shall not be required to be irreversible.
IPC Section 326A in BNS: Section 124
Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc
Section 326A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc) corresponds to Section 124 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNSS First Schedule, BNS 124(1) is cognizable, non-bailable, triable by Court of Session; punishment: Imprisonment for not less than 10 years but which may extend to imprisonment for life and fine.
Bail, cognizability and punishment
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 124(1) | Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc. | Imprisonment for not less than 10 years but which may extend to imprisonment for life and fine. | Cognizable | Non-bailable | Court of Session |
| 124(2) | Voluntarily throwing or attempting to throw acid. | Imprisonment for 5 years but which may extend to 7 years and fine. | Cognizable | Non-bailable | Court of Session |
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 124
Full BNS Section 124 and every IPC section it replaced →
Other IPC sections now in BNS 124
- IPC 326B: Voluntarily throwing or attempting to throw acid → BNS 124(2)
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