IPC 322→BNS 117(1)

IPC 322 to BNS 117(1): Voluntarily causing grievous hurt

Section 322 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 117(1) BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 322 →View BNS Section 117(1) →

IPC 322 to BNS 117(1) at a Glance

Section 322 IPC (Voluntarily causing grievous hurt) is now Section 117(1) BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 322 to BNS 117(1)?

Section 322 IPC is succeeded by Section 117(1) BNS. The definition is enacted as sub-section 1 of Section 117 BNS, while punishment is placed directly in sub-section 2. In the illustration, the period of severe bodily pain is updated from twenty days to fifteen days to match Section 116 BNS.

IPC 322 vs BNS 117(1): Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section322117(1)
OffenceVoluntarily causing grievous hurtSame
PunishmentSection 322 IPC is a definition and does not prescribe punishment. Penalties for voluntarily causing grievous hurt are prescribed in Section 325 and Section 326 IPC.Section 117(1) BNS is a definition and does not prescribe punishment. Penalties for voluntarily causing grievous hurt are prescribed in Section 117(2), Section 117(3), Section 117(4), and Section 118(2) BNS.
FineNo fine is prescribed in this definition section.No fine is prescribed in this definition sub-section.
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame

IPC 322 and BNS 117(1): Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 322, IPC 1860

322. Voluntarily causing grievous hurt.—Whoever voluntarily causes hurt, if the hurt which he intends to cause or knows himself to be likely to cause is grievous hurt, and if the hurt which he causes is grievous hurt, is said “voluntarily to cause grievous hurt”. Explanation.—A person is not said voluntarily to cause grievous hurt except when he both causes grievous hurt and intends or knows himself to be likely to cause grievous hurt. But he is said voluntarily to cause grievous hurt, if intending or knowing himself to be likely to cause grievous hurt of one kind, he actually causes grievous hurt of another kind. Illustration A, intending or knowing himself to be likely permanently to disfigure Z's face, gives Z a blow which does not permanently disfigure Z's face, but which causes Z to suffer severe bodily pain for the space of twenty days. A has voluntarily caused grievous hurt.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 117(1), BNS 2023

(1) Whoever voluntarily causes hurt, if the hurt which he intends to cause or knows himself to be likely to cause is grievous hurt, and if the hurt which he causes is grievous hurt, is said “voluntarily to cause grievous hurt”. Explanation.—A person is not said voluntarily to cause grievous hurt except when he both causes grievous hurt and intends or knows himself to be likely to cause grievous hurt. But he is said voluntarily to cause grievous hurt, if intending or knowing himself to be likely to cause grievous hurt of one kind, he actually causes grievous hurt of another kind. Illustration. A, intending of knowing himself to be likely permanently to disfigure Z’s face, gives Z a blow which does not permanently disfigure Z’s face, but which causes Z to suffer severe bodily pain for the space of fifteen days. A has voluntarily caused grievous hurt.

Ingredients: IPC 322 vs BNS 117(1)

Under IPC 322
  1. The accused voluntarily caused hurt
  2. The hurt intended or known to be likely was grievous hurt
  3. The hurt actually caused was grievous hurt
  4. A person who intends grievous hurt of one kind and causes grievous hurt of another kind satisfies the section
Under BNS 117(1)
  1. The accused voluntarily caused hurt
  2. The contemplated or intended injury fell within grievous hurt
  3. The harm actually inflicted amounted in fact to grievous hurt
  4. Intending one species of grievous hurt while causing another satisfies the sub-section

What IPC 322 to BNS 117(1) Means for Pending Cases

For Section 322 IPC (now Section 117(1) BNS): matters involving acts committed prior to 1 July 2024 apply the definition under Section 322 IPC, whereas subsequent acts are governed by Section 117(1) BNS. Because definitions do not prescribe penalties, police reports and formal charges must cite substantive punishing sections such as Section 325 IPC or Section 117(2) BNS.

FAQs: IPC 322 to BNS 117(1)

What is the BNS counterpart of Section 322 IPC?▼

Section 117(1) BNS replaces Section 322 IPC, codifying the definition of voluntarily causing grievous hurt as sub-section 1.

What changed in the illustration to Section 117(1) BNS?▼

The illustration in Section 117(1) BNS adopts a fifteen-day period of severe bodily pain instead of the twenty-day period in Section 322 IPC.

Does Section 322 IPC or Section 117(1) BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Conduct taking place before 1 July 2024 is defined under Section 322 IPC, while subsequent acts fall under Section 117(1) BNS.

Disclaimer: This comparison is for informational purposes only. The new criminal laws came into effect on 1 July 2024. Consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·