BNS Section 39 — When such right extends to causing any harm other than death
Section 39 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 addresses “When such right extends to causing any harm other than death”. Read the provision below with its qualifications, exceptions and chapter context; the official source is linked alongside it.
39. When such right extends to causing any harm other than death.—If the offence be not of any of the descriptions specified in section 38, the right of private defence of the body does not extend to the voluntary causing of death to the assailant, but does extend, under the restrictions specified in section 37, to the voluntary causing to the assailant of any harm other than death. ¶
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 →