53
CAP. 224
Penal Code
2008 Ed.
(b) A enters, by night, a house which he is legally entitled to enter. Z, in good
faith, taking A for a housebreaker, attacks A. Here Z, by attacking A under
this misconception, commits no offence. But A has the same right of
private defence against Z, which he would have if Z were not acting under
that misconception.
[Indian PC 1860, s. 98]
Acts against which there is no right of private defence
99.—(1) There is no right of private defence against an act which
does not reasonably cause the apprehension of death or of grievous
hurt, if done, or attempted to be done, by a public servant acting in
good faith under colour of his office, though that act may not be
strictly justifiable by law.
(2) There is no right of private defence against an act which does not
reasonably cause the apprehension of death or of grievous hurt, if
done, or attempted to be done, by the direction of a public servant
acting in good faith under colour of his office, though that direction
may not be strictly justifiable by law.
(3) There is no right of private defence in cases in which there is
time to have recourse to the protection of the public authorities.
Extent to which the right may be exercised
(4) The right of private defence in no case extends to the inflicting of
more harm than it is necessary to inflict for the purpose of defence.
Explanation 1.—A person is not deprived of the right of private defence
against an act done, or attempted to be done, by a public servant, as such, unless he
knows, or has reason to believe, that the person doing the act is such public servant.
Explanation 2.—A person is not deprived of the right of private defence
against an act done, or attempted to be done, by the direction of a public servant,
unless he knows, or has reason to believe, that the person doing the act is acting by
such direction; or unless such person states the authority under which he acts, or, if
he has authority in writing, unless he produces such authority, if demanded.
[Indian PC 1860, s. 99]
Informal Consolidation – version in force from 1/4/2015
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