BNS §100
Culpable homicide
Jump to section
Comparison
299. Culpable homicide.—Whoever causes death by doing an act with the intention of causing death, or with the intention of causing such bodily injury as is likely to cause death, or with the knowledge that he is likely by such act to cause death, commits the offence of culpable homicide. Illustrations (a) A lays sticks and turf over a pit, with the intention of thereby causing death, or with the knowledge that death is likely to be thereby caused. Z, believing the ground to be firm, treads on it, falls in and is killed. A has committed the offence of culpable homicide. (b) A knows Z to be behind a bush. B does not know it. A, intending to cause, or knowing it to be likely to cause Z's death, induces B to fire at the bush. B fires and kills Z. Here B may be guilty of no offence; but A has committed the offence of culpable homicide. (c) A, by shooting at a fowl with intent to kill and steal it, kills B, who is behind a bush; A not knowing that he was there. Here, although A was doing an unlawful act, he was not guilty of culpable homicide, as he did not intend to kill B, or to cause death by doing an act that he knew was likely to cause death. Explanation 1.—A person who causes bodily injury to another who is labouring under a disorder, disease or bodily infirmity, and thereby accelerates the death of that other, shall be deemed to have caused his death. Explanation 2.—Where death is caused by bodily injury, the person who causes such bodily injury shall be deemed to have caused the death, although by resorting to proper remedies and skilful treatment the death might have been prevented. Explanation 3.—The causing of the death of a child in the mother's womb is not homicide. But it may amount to culpable homicide to cause the death of a living child, if any part of that child has been brought forth, though the child may not have breathed or been completely born.
Whoever causes death by doing an act with the intention of causing death, or with the intention of causing such bodily injury as is likely to cause death, or with the knowledge that he is likely by such act to cause death, commits the offence of culpable homicide.
What changedAI-inferred
IPC 299 (definition of culpable homicide) preserved character-identically as BNS 100 including all three Explanations (acceleration of death of a person under disorder; remedies-might-have-prevented-death; child-in-womb non-homicide) and all three illustrations.
Old position
IPC 299 is concerned with Culpable homicide. Culpable homicide
New position
BNS 100 preserves the framework with drafting modernisations as required by the new code. Topic: Culpable homicide. Whoever causes death by doing an act with the intention of causing death, or with the intention of causing such bodily injury as is likely to cause death, or with the knowledge that he is likely by such act to cause death, commits the
IPC 299 (definition of culpable homicide) preserved character-identically as BNS 100 including all three Explanations (acceleration of death of a person under disorder; remedies-might-have-prevented-death; child-in-womb non-homicide) and all three illustrations.
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
IPC 299 (definition of culpable homicide) preserved character-identically as BNS 100 including all three Explanations (acceleration of death of a person under disorder; remedies-might-have-prevented-death; child-in-womb non-homicide) and all three illustrations.
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 299 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 100 applies. The transition is governed by the repeal-and-savings clause in the new code (BNS 358 / BNSS 531 / BSA 170 as the case may be); pending proceedings under the old code carry forward unaffected.
Frequently asked
BNS 100 (Culpable homicide). The relationship is classified as substantively_same — see the change-note above for the textual delta.
Sources
- India Code — Indian Penal Code, 1860
- Gazette of India — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Cite this page
Newlaws.in, IPC §299 → BNS §100 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-15, https://newlaws.in/bns/100.
Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01
Not legal advice. Verify against the bare act and consult a qualified advocate for any specific matter.