Introduction of BNS 38
BNS 38 discusses situations where you are allowed to defend yourself, even if it means causing the death of the person attacking you. This section explains that in very serious cases, like when someone tries to kill you or cause you severe harm, you have the right to protect yourself, even if it results in the attacker’s death.
What is section 38 of BNS ?
BNS Section 38 lets you use deadly force to protect yourself if someone attacks you in a way that makes you fear for your life or causes serious harm. This includes situations like attempted murder, severe assault, rape, and other serious crimes.

BNS Section 38 in Simple Points
Deadly Force for Serious Threats:
- You can use deadly force if you face a serious threat where there is a real fear of death or severe injury.
- Example: If someone is attacking you with a weapon and you believe it could kill you, you can use deadly force to protect yourself.
Protection Against Rape:
- Deadly force is allowed if someone is trying to rape you.
- Example: If someone is attacking you with the intention of rape, you can use deadly force to stop them.
Defense Against Kidnapping:
- If someone is trying to kidnap or abduct you, you can use deadly force to prevent it.
- Example: If someone grabs you with the intent to forcibly take you away, you can use deadly force to defend yourself.
Preventing Serious Harm from Acid Attacks:
- You can use deadly force if someone throws or tries to throw acid at you, causing a reasonable fear of severe harm.
- Example: If an attacker throws acid at you, and it could cause serious injury, you can use deadly force to protect yourself.
Limits on Use of Force:
- The right to use deadly force is limited by rules in Section 37, so your actions must be within these limits.
- Example: Even if you are facing a serious threat, ensure your response is appropriate and follows the conditions set by Section 37.
Section 38 BNS Overview
BNS Section 38 allows you to defend yourself to the extent of causing death if someone attacks you in a way that reasonably makes you fear for your life or causes serious harm. This includes cases of attempted murder, severe assault, rape, and other grave offenses.
10 Key Points of BNS Section 38
- Fear of Death:
- If someone attacks you in a way that makes you reasonably fear for your life, you can defend yourself even if it means causing the attacker’s death.
- Example: If someone tries to stab you, you can use force to protect yourself, even if it leads to the attacker’s death.
- Fear of Serious Injury:
- If an assault makes you fear severe injury, you are allowed to defend yourself, even to the point of causing death.
- Example: If someone tries to hit you with a heavy object that could cause serious harm, you can defend yourself forcefully.
- Attempted Rape:
- You can defend yourself if someone tries to rape you, even if it means causing the attacker’s death.
- Example: If someone attacks you with the intention of rape, you can use all necessary force to stop them.
- Unnatural Lust:
- If someone assaults you with the intention of satisfying unnatural lust, you can defend yourself to the point of causing death.
- Example: If someone tries to force you into unnatural sexual acts, you can protect yourself by any means necessary.
- Kidnapping or Abduction:
- If someone tries to kidnap or abduct you, you can defend yourself even if it results in the attacker’s death.
- Example: If someone attempts to drag you into a vehicle against your will, you can use deadly force to protect yourself.
- Wrongful Confinement:
- You can defend yourself if someone tries to confine you in a way that makes it impossible to seek help, even if it means causing death.
- Example: If someone locks you in a room with no way to escape, you can use force to free yourself.
- Acid Attack:
- If someone tries to throw acid on you, you can defend yourself, even if it results in the attacker’s death.
- Example: If someone tries to harm you with acid, you can protect yourself by using necessary force.
- Reasonable Cause:
- The right to defend yourself extends to causing death only if the fear of harm is reasonable and justified.
- Example: You cannot claim self-defense if the threat is not serious or if you overreact to a minor situation.
- Proportionality:
- The force used in self-defense must be proportional to the threat faced.
- Example: If someone slaps you, causing death in response would not be justified.
- Immediate Threat:
- The right to cause death in self-defense applies only when the threat is immediate and unavoidable.
- Example: If someone is about to shoot you, you can use force to stop them, even if it results in their death.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 38
Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Offence | Allows use of deadly force in response to certain serious threats. |
Definition | You can use deadly force to defend yourself if faced with threats like imminent death, severe injury, or specific criminal intentions. |
Punishment | Not applicable (focuses on justifying the use of deadly force). |
Bailable | Not applicable (concerns conditions under which deadly force is justified). |
BNS Section 38 FAQs
What does BNS Section 38 cover?
It covers when you can use deadly force in self-defense against serious threats such as imminent death, severe injury, or criminal actions.
Can I use deadly force if someone is trying to seriously injure me?
Yes, if there is a reasonable fear of severe injury, deadly force is allowed.
Is deadly force allowed if someone tries to kidnap me?
Yes, you can use deadly force if someone attacks with the intention to kidnap or abduct you.
What are the limits on using deadly force?
The use of deadly force must follow the restrictions outlined in Section 37. Ensure your response is appropriate to the threat.
Can I use deadly force if someone throws acid at me?
Yes, if the acid attack poses a serious threat of severe harm, you can use deadly force.
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