IPC 325 → BNS 117: Grievous Hurt

IPC 325 (now BNS 117): Voluntarily Causing Grievous Hurt

IPC 325 punished a person who voluntarily caused grievous hurt — the more serious category of injury, such as a fracture, loss of sight or hearing, permanent disfigurement of the head or face, or any hurt that keeps the victim in severe pain or unable to follow ordinary pursuits for fifteen days. From 1 July 2024 this offence continues as Section 117 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023.

Punishment under BNS 117

Same — up to 7 years imprisonment with fine. Section 117(2) keeps the IPC 325 yardstick: imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and the offender is also liable to fine. The list of what counts as "grievous hurt" itself is set out separately in Section 116 BNS (the old IPC 320).

What changed from IPC to BNS?

The basic punishment is unchanged; the drafting is simply tidied, with the definition resting in Section 116 and the penalty in Section 117. BNS also spells out two aggravated situations the old IPC 325 did not separate: Section 117(3) covers hurt that leaves the victim with permanent disability or in a persistent vegetative state (rigorous imprisonment of not less than ten years, up to life), and Section 117(4) covers grievous hurt caused by a group of five or more persons on grounds such as caste, religion, sex or language. These are additions for graver facts, not a change to the ordinary seven-year offence.

Worked example

During a property quarrel A strikes B on the forearm with an iron rod, fracturing the bone. A fracture is grievous hurt under Section 116, and because A intended or knew the blow was likely to cause such injury, A is liable under Section 117(2) — facing up to seven years and fine. Had the same blow left B permanently unable to use the arm, the prosecution could instead invoke the heavier Section 117(3).

Practical notes

• For advocates: Anchor the charge in the Section 116 catalogue — establish from the medical evidence exactly which limb of grievous hurt is proved (fracture, loss of sight or hearing, disfigurement, fifteen-day incapacity). Where the injury falls short, press for the lesser offence of simple hurt rather than Section 117.
• For the accused / citizens: This is a serious, cognizable charge. Preserve medical records and any proof that the injury was minor or accidental; whether the act was truly "voluntary" — intended or known to be likely — is usually the decisive question.

Related reading: simple hurt (IPC 323 to BNS 115) and hurt by dangerous weapons (IPC 326 to BNS 118).