BNS Section 26 — Act not intended to cause death, done by consent in good faith for person's benefit
Section 26 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 addresses “Act not intended to cause death, done by consent in good faith for person’s benefit”. Read the provision below with its qualifications, exceptions and chapter context; the official source is linked alongside it.
26. Act not intended to cause death, done by consent in good faith for person’s benefit.— Nothing, which is not intended to cause death, is an offence by reason of any harm which it may cause, or be intended by the doer to cause, or be known by the doer to be likely to cause, to any person for whose benefit it is done in good faith, and who has given a consent, whether express or implied, to suffer that harm, or to take the risk of that harm. ¶
Illustration. A, a surgeon, knowing that a particular operation is likely to cause the death of Z, who suffers under the painful complaint, but not intending to cause Z’s death, and intending, in good faith, Z’s benefit, performs that operation on Z, with Z’s consent. A has committed no 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 →