Legal World

Section 80 IPC — Accident in doing a lawful act

Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Official PDF page 27

Open in NyayaOfficial PDF, page 27

80. 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.

Text extracted from the official PDF (Historical Ministry source copy; amendment cutoff not certified). Line breaks and footnote marks may differ; the PDF is the authority.

For research. Check the official gazette and later amendments before citing a section.