IPC §79 → BNS §17
Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself justified, by law
Jump to section
Comparison
79. Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself, justified, by law.— Nothing is an offence which is done by any person who is justified by law, or who by reason of a mistake of fact and not by reason of a mistake of law in good faith, believes himself to be justified by law, in doing it. Illustration A sees Z commit what appears to A to be a murder. A, in the exercise, to the best of his judgment exerted in good faith, of the power which the law gives to all persons of apprehending murderers in the fact, seizes Z, in order to bring Z before the proper authorities. A has committed no offence, though it may turn out that Z was acting in self-defence.
Nothing is an offence which is done by any person who is justified by law, or who by reason of a mistake of fact and not by reason of a mistake of law in good faith, believes himself to be justified by law, in doing it.
What changedAI-inferred
IPC 79 and BNS 17 carry the same exception character-identically including the apprehending-murderers illustration.
Old position
IPC 79 is concerned with Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself justified, by law. Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself, justified, by law
New position
BNS 17 preserves the framework with drafting modernisations as required by the new code. Topic: Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself justified, by law. Nothing is an offence which is done by any person who is justified by law, or who by reason of a mistake of fact and not by reason of a mistake of law in good faith, believes himself to be justified by law, in doing it
BNS 17 (Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself justified, by law) preserves the framework of IPC 79. BNS 17 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code. BNS 17...
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
BNS 17 (Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself justified, by law) preserves the framework of IPC 79. BNS 17 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code.
BNS 17 text: Nothing is an offence which is done by any person who is justified by law, or who by reason of a mistake of fact and not by reason of a mistake of law in good faith, believes himself to be justified by law, in doing it.
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 79 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 17 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 17 (Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself justified, by law). 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 §79 → BNS §17 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-12, https://newlaws.in/ipc/79.
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.