131. Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any person otherwise than on grave and sudden provocation given by that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both. Explanation 1.—Grave and sudden provocation will not mitigate the punishment for an offence under this section,— (a) if the provocation is sought or voluntarily provoked by the offender as an excuse for the offence; or (b) if the provocation is given by anything done in obedience to the law, or by a public servant, in the lawful exercise of the powers of such public servant; or (c) if the provocation is given by anything done in the lawful exercise of the right of private defence. Explanation 2.—Whether the provocation was grave and sudden enough to mitigate the offence, is a question of fact.
IPC Section 352 in BNS: Section 131
Punishment for assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation
Section 352 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Punishment for assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation) corresponds to Section 131 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNSS First Schedule, BNS 131 is non-cognizable, bailable, triable by Any Magistrate; punishment: Imprisonment for 3 months, or fine of 1,000 rupees, or both.
Bail, cognizability and punishment
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 131 | Assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation. | Imprisonment for 3 months, or fine of 1,000 rupees, or both. | Non-cognizable | Bailable | Any Magistrate |
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 131
Full BNS Section 131 and every IPC section it replaced →
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