Section 18 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 addresses “Accident in doing a lawful act”. Read the provision below with its qualifications, exceptions and chapter context; the official source is linked alongside it.
18. Accident in doing a lawful act.—Nothing is an offence which is done by accident or misfortune, and without any criminal intention or knowledge in the doing of a lawful act in a lawful manner by lawful means and with proper care and caution. ¶
Illustration. A is at work with a hatchet; the head flies off and kills a man who is standing by. Here, if there was no want of proper caution on the part of A, his act is excusable and not an offence. ¶
Source edition: 6 October 2025. This preview uses extracted India Code text. Editorial verification and checks for subsequent amendments and commencement notifications are pending. About the source →