Accident in doing a lawful act
Full Text
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.
Plain English Summary
This section provides that an act done by accident or misfortune, without criminal intent, while performing a lawful act with proper care, is not an offence.
Key Legal Elements
- The act must be done by accident or misfortune.
- The act must be done without any criminal intention or knowledge.
- The act must be a lawful act, done in a lawful manner, by lawful means.
- The act must be done with proper care and caution.
Practical Note
This replaces IPC Section 80. It covers the defence of inevitable accident. If any element is missing (e.g., lack of proper care, or unlawful means), the defence fails.
हिंदी पाठ
18. वैध कार्य करने में दुर्घटना।
कोई बात अपराध नहीं है जो दुर्घटना या दुर्भाग्य से, और बिना किसी आपराधिक आशय या ज्ञान के, वैध साधनों द्वारा और उचित सावधानी और सतर्कता के साथ वैध तरीके से वैध कार्य करने में हो जाती है।
दृष्टांत।
क कुल्हाड़ी से काम कर रहा है; कुल्हाड़ी का फल निकलकर उड़ जाता है और पास खड़े एक व्यक्ति को मार देता है। यहाँ, यदि क की ओर से उचित सावधानी की कोई कमी नहीं थी, तो उसका कार्य क्षम्य है और अपराध नहीं है।