Library/BNS/Section 23
Section 23PopularSubstantive

Act of a person incapable of judgment by reason of intoxication caused against his will

Full Text

23. Act of a person incapable of judgment by reason of intoxication caused against his will.

Nothing is an offence which is done by a person who, at the time of doing it, is, by reason of intoxication, incapable of knowing the nature of the act, or that he is doing what is either wrong, or contrary to law; provided that the thing which intoxicated him was administered to him without his knowledge or against his will.

Plain English Summary

This section protects individuals from criminal liability for acts committed under involuntary intoxication if they were unable to understand the nature or wrongfulness of their actions.

Key Legal Elements

  • The act must be done by a person who is intoxicated.
  • The intoxication must make them incapable of knowing the nature of the act, or that it was wrong or contrary to law.
  • The intoxicating substance must have been administered without their knowledge or against their will.

Practical Note

This replaces IPC Section 85. It only excuses involuntary intoxication. Voluntary intoxication does not qualify for this defence.

हिंदी पाठ

23. अपनी इच्छा के विरुद्ध मादकता के कारण निर्णय लेने में असमर्थ व्यक्ति का कार्य।

कोई बात अपराध नहीं है, जो किसी ऐसे व्यक्ति द्वारा की जाए जो उसे करते समय, मादकता (नशे) के कारण उस कार्य की प्रकृति जानने में, या यह जानने में असमर्थ हो कि वह जो कर रहा है वह गलत है या कानून के विपरीत है; बशर्ते कि वह वस्तु जिससे उसका नशा हुआ था, उसे उसकी जानकारी के बिना या उसकी इच्छा के विरुद्ध दी गई थी।