What Is BNS Section 33?

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 - Section 33: Act causing slight harm.

Nothing is an offence by reason that it causes, or that it is intended to cause, or that it is known to be likely to cause, any harm, if that harm is so slight that no person of ordinary sense and temper would complain of such harm.

Brief Detail

BNS Section 33 addresses situations where an act may cause harm, but the harm is so minimal that it does not constitute an offence. If the harm is trivial and would not be complained about by a person of ordinary sense and temper, it is not considered an offence under this section.

Question & Answers

Q1: What does BNS Section 33 specify about harm?
A1: BNS Section 33 specifies that an act is not considered an offence if it causes harm that is so slight that no reasonable person would complain about it.

Q2: Under BNS Section 33, what determines if harm is too slight to be considered an offence?
A2: Under BNS Section 33, the harm is considered too slight to be an offence if no person of ordinary sense and temper would complain about it.

Q3: Is an act considered an offence if the harm caused is trivial?
A3: No, an act is not considered an offence under BNS Section 33 if the harm caused is trivial and would not be complained about by a person of ordinary sense and temper.

Example

Example 1: If someone accidentally bumps into another person in a crowded place and causes a minor bruise, this would not be considered an offence under BNS Section 33, as the harm is too slight to warrant complaint.

Example 2: A person lightly touches someone’s shoulder to get their attention, causing no more than a minor irritation. This minor harm is not considered an offence under BNS Section 33.

Summary

BNS Section 33 establishes that an act causing minimal harm that would not be complained about by a reasonable person does not constitute an offence.