IPC 321 → BNS 115: Voluntarily Causing Hurt

Quick Summary: IPC 321 vs BNS 115

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, in force since 1 July 2024, has replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860. IPC 321 deals with voluntarily causing hurt, part of the IPC's offences affecting the human body — homicide, hurt, wrongful restraint, criminal force, kidnapping and sexual offences, the largest group in the code. The BNS renumbers voluntarily causing hurt as BNS 115 and, for several sexual and grievous-hurt offences, enhances the punishment.

What did IPC 321 cover?

IPC 321 dealt with voluntarily causing hurt — voluntarily causing hurt (definition). Until 30 June 2024, every FIR and criminal trial for this offence was registered and prosecuted under this provision of the Indian Penal Code 1860.

BNS 115: What changed in the new law?

Merged into Section 115. From 1 July 2024, new complaints relating to voluntarily causing hurt are filed under BNS Section 115, while cases registered earlier continue under the old IPC provision as per the saving clause of the BNS.

Punishment under BNS 115

N/A - Definition

Practical implications for advocates, police & citizens

• Advocates: For voluntarily causing hurt, the grading of the offence — and therefore bail and forum — turns on intention, the degree of hurt and aggravating factors; map IPC 321 carefully to BNS 115.
• Police officers: Record the nature and degree of injury and the weapon or means used; a new voluntarily causing hurt FIR is filed under BNS 115.
• Law students & citizens: Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt rises sharply with the seriousness of the harm and the victim — the IPC 321 to BNS 115 change does not lower it.