Section 11 IPC: “Person”
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 11 IPC at a Glance
Section 11 IPC defines the term “Person”. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 2(26) BNS.
None. Section 11 IPC creates no offence.
Section 11 IPC Bare Act Text
11. “Person”
The word “person” includes any Company or Association or body of persons, whether incorporated or not.
Source: Section 11, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 11 IPC in Simple Words
Section 11 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines the word person for the purposes of the Code. It provides that the word person includes any company or association or body of persons, whether incorporated or not.
By this definition, where the Code refers to a person, it encompasses artificial and unincorporated entities as well as natural persons. Section 11 IPC is an interpretative definition that creates no offence and prescribes no punishment.
It has no entry in the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and compounding under Section 320 CrPC does not apply.
Ingredients of Section 11 IPC
- The word person includes any company
- The word person includes any association or body of persons
- The entity qualifies as a person whether incorporated or not
Punishment Under Section 11 IPC
None. Section 11 IPC creates no offence.
None. Section 11 IPC creates no offence.
Section 11 IPC defines person and creates no offence. It has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC.
Example of Section 11 IPC
When Section 11 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 11 IPC does not bring a company or association within a provision of the Code that by its nature can apply only to a living human being.
- Section 11 IPC does not apply to define the word person in an outside statute that contains its own statutory definition.
- Section 11 IPC does not apply as a substantive charge because it merely defines a word and creates no offence.
Section 11 IPC in the BNS
Section 11 IPC is now covered under Section 2(26) BNS.
Section 11 IPC corresponds to Section 2(26) BNS. Section 2(26) BNS retains the substantive definition verbatim, providing that person includes any company or association or body of persons, whether incorporated or not. The words company and association appear in lower case in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the provision sits as clause twenty-six of the alphabetical definitions in Section 2(26) BNS.
View detailed comparison (IPC 11 vs BNS 2(26)) →FAQs on Section 11 IPC
What does Section 11 IPC say?▼
Section 11 IPC provides that the word person includes any Company or Association or body of persons, whether incorporated or not.
Does the word person under Section 11 IPC include unincorporated bodies?▼
The words whether incorporated or not ensure that unregistered associations, partnerships, and collective bodies of persons are included within the definition.
Does Section 11 IPC apply to artificial entities like companies?▼
The definition explicitly includes any company, thereby extending the statutory meaning of person beyond natural human beings.
Does Section 11 IPC define an offence or prescribe punishment?▼
Section 11 IPC defines no offence and prescribes no punishment. It is an interpretative definition applicable throughout the Code.
Is Section 11 IPC bailable or cognizable?▼
Section 11 IPC has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC because it creates no offence.
Can proceedings be compounded under Section 11 IPC?▼
Compounding under Section 320 CrPC does not apply to Section 11 IPC because it creates no offence.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·