Library/BNSS/Section 397
Section 397PopularProcedural

Treatment of victims

Full Text

All hospitals, public or private, whether run by the Central Government, the State Government, local bodies or any other person, shall immediately, provide the first-aid or medical treatment, free of cost, to the victims of any offence covered under section 64, section 65, section 66, section 67, section 68, section 70, section 71 or sub-section (1) of section 124 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 or under sections 4, 6, 8 or section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, and shall immediately inform the police of such incident.

Plain English Summary

Mandates all hospitals to provide free immediate medical treatment to victims of sexual offences and notify the police.

Key Legal Elements

  • Applies to all hospitals (Public & Private)
  • Free first-aid or medical treatment
  • Covers sexual offences under BNS and POCSO
  • Mandatory immediate reporting to police

Punishment

Failure to comply may result in criminal prosecution against the hospital management.

Practical Note

This is a mandatory provision for both public and private hospitals. Refusal to provide treatment to victims of sexual offences is a serious violation of legal duties.

हिंदी पाठ

सभी अस्पताल, सार्वजनिक या निजी, चाहे वे केंद्र सरकार, राज्य सरकार, स्थानीय निकायों या किसी अन्य व्यक्ति द्वारा चलाए जा रहे हों, भारतीय न्याय संहिता, 2023 की धारा 64, धारा 65, धारा 66, धारा 67, धारा 68, धारा 70, धारा 71 या धारा 124 की उपधारा (1) के तहत या 'यौन अपराधों से बच्चों का संरक्षण अधिनियम, 2012' की धारा 4, 6, 8 या धारा 10 के तहत आने वाले किसी भी अपराध के पीड़ितों को तुरंत, निःशुल्क प्राथमिक चिकित्सा या चिकित्सा उपचार प्रदान करेंगे, और ऐसी घटना की सूचना तुरंत पुलिस को देंगे।