🔹IPC Section 323 – Punishment for Voluntarily Causing Hurt
🔹Law Summary (English):
Section 323 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with “voluntarily causing hurt”, which means intentionally causing physical pain, injury, or harm to another person without lawful reason.
If someone hits, slaps, or physically assaults another person, it falls under this section — unless there’s a valid self-defence reason.
🔹In Simple Hindi:
Agar koi vyakti jaan-boojh kar kisi ko chot pahuchata hai, chahe maar kar, dhakka dekar, ya kisi bhi tarah se dard pahuchakar — to us par IPC Section 323 lagta hai.
Iska matlab simple hai – “Marna ya chot pahuchana jurm hai.”
🔹Important Points to Understand:
- Meaning of “Hurt”:
- Hurt ka matlab hai kisi ko body pain, injury, ya damage pahuchana.
- Zyada badi chot hona zaruri nahi, slight injury bhi hurt kehlati hai.
- Voluntary Act:
- Agar kisi ne jaan-boojh kar (intentionally) kisi ko chot pahuchai, tabhi Section 323 lagega.
- Agar galti se ho gaya (accidentally), to ye section nahi lagega.
- No Grave Injury Needed:
- Ye “simple hurt” ke liye hai, serious injury (grievous hurt) ke liye nahi.
- Serious injury ke cases me Section 325 IPC lagta hai.
- Punishment:
- Imprisonment up to 1 year,
- Fine up to ₹1,000, or
- Both.
🔹Example (Real-Life Style):
- 🔹Case 1:
During a street argument, one man slaps another in anger. - 🔹The attacker can be charged under Section 323 IPC for voluntarily causing hurt.
- 🔹Case 2:
A husband hits his wife, leaving minor bruises. - 🔹This is a punishable offence under Section 323 IPC.
🔹Difference Between Related Sections:
| Section | Meaning | Example | Punishment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 323 | Voluntarily causing simple hurt | Slapping, minor beating | Up to 1 year or ₹1000 fine |
| Section 324 | Hurt by dangerous weapons | Attack with knife, rod, or acid | Up to 3 years + fine |
| Section 325 | Causing grievous hurt | Fracture or serious injury | Up to 7 years + fine |
🔹Real-World Impact:
Section 323 ensures that no form of physical violence is taken lightly — even minor assaults are legally punishable.
This law is widely used in domestic disputes, street fights, public altercations, and school/college violence cases.
It’s often bailable and compoundable, meaning the case can be settled between the parties with the court’s permission.
🔹In Short:
“Section 323 IPC – Even a slap, push, or small injury caused intentionally is a punishable crime under Indian law.”
