What Is BNS Section 66?

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 - Section 66: Punishment for causing death or resulting in persistent vegetative state of victim.

Whoever, commits an offence punishable under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 64 and in the course of such commission inflicts an injury which causes the death of the woman or causes the woman to be in a persistent vegetative state, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than twenty years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person’s natural life, or with death.

Brief Detail

BNS Section 66 provides severe punishments for individuals who, during the commission of an offence under Section 64, inflict injuries that cause the death of a woman or lead her to a persistent vegetative state. The punishments range from a minimum of 20 years' rigorous imprisonment to life imprisonment or the death penalty.

Question & Answers

Q1: What is BNS Section 66 about?

A1: BNS Section 66 outlines the punishment for causing death or putting a woman into a persistent vegetative state during the commission of an offence under Section 64.

Q2: What are the punishments described under BNS Section 66?

A2: The punishments include rigorous imprisonment for not less than 20 years, life imprisonment for the remainder of the person's natural life, or the death penalty.

Q3: Which section's offences lead to the punishments under Section 66?

A3: The offences under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of Section 64 lead to punishments under Section 66 if they result in death or a persistent vegetative state.

Q4: What is meant by life imprisonment in Section 66?

A4: Life imprisonment under Section 66 means imprisonment for the remainder of the convicted person's natural life.

Example

- If an individual commits an offence under Section 64(1) and, during the act, inflicts injuries that lead to the woman's death, the person could face 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, life imprisonment, or even the death penalty.

- In another instance, if a woman is left in a persistent vegetative state after an offence under Section 64(2), the offender may similarly be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 20 years to life, or may even face capital punishment.

Summary

BNS Section 66 ensures stringent punishments for offenders who cause the death of a woman or leave her in a persistent vegetative state during an offence under Section 64. The law mandates a minimum of 20 years' rigorous imprisonment, with possibilities of life imprisonment or the death sentence.