Section 319 IPC: Hurt
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 319 IPC at a Glance
Section 319 IPC deals with hurt. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 114 BNS.
Section 319 IPC is a definition and prescribes no punishment. Voluntarily causing hurt is punished under Section 323 IPC.
Section 319 IPC Bare Act Text
319. Hurt
Whoever causes bodily pain, disease or infirmity to any person is said to cause hurt.
Source: Section 319, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 319 IPC in Simple Words
Section 319 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines hurt as causing bodily pain, disease, or infirmity to any person. It is a foundational definition rather than a penal provision, providing the statutory meaning of hurt for substantive offences across the Code. The punishment for voluntarily causing hurt is prescribed separately under Section 323 IPC.
Ingredients of Section 319 IPC
- The accused caused bodily pain, disease or infirmity
- The bodily pain, disease or infirmity was caused to a person
Punishment Under Section 319 IPC
Section 319 IPC is a definition and prescribes no punishment. Voluntarily causing hurt is punished under Section 323 IPC.
No fine is prescribed in this definition section.
Hurt is defined as causing bodily pain, disease, or infirmity to any person. It is a definitional provision without a separate entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC, and punishing provisions include Section 323 IPC.
Example of Section 319 IPC
When Section 319 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 319 IPC does not apply when an act results in no bodily pain, disease, or infirmity to any human being.
- Purely mental distress, emotional shock, or verbal insult unaccompanied by any physical pain, disease, or bodily infirmity does not amount to hurt under Section 319 IPC.
- Conduct that only damages a vehicle, building, or other property without affecting the body of a person falls outside Section 319 IPC.
Section 319 IPC in the BNS
Section 319 IPC is now covered under Section 114 BNS.
Section 319 IPC is succeeded by Section 114 BNS. The title, definition of hurt as bodily pain, disease, or infirmity caused to any person, and its role as a foundational definition remain identical.
View detailed comparison (IPC 319 vs BNS 114) →FAQs on Section 319 IPC
What does Section 319 IPC define?▼
Section 319 IPC defines hurt as causing bodily pain, disease, or infirmity to any person.
What punishment is prescribed under Section 319 IPC?▼
Section 319 IPC contains no penal clause. The punishment for voluntarily causing hurt is provided under Section 323 IPC.
Does hurt under Section 319 IPC require visible physical marks?▼
No. The section requires bodily pain, disease, or infirmity, and does not require visible wounds or bleeding.
Is an offence of hurt under Section 319 IPC bailable?▼
Section 319 IPC has no bail classification because it is a definition. Bail is determined by the specific penal provision charged, such as Section 323 IPC which is bailable.
Which court tries an offence defined under Section 319 IPC?▼
Jurisdiction is determined by the punishing section charged; under Section 323 IPC, voluntarily causing hurt is triable by any Magistrate.
Can an offence under Section 319 IPC be compounded?▼
Compounding applies to the punishing sections; voluntarily causing hurt under Section 323 IPC is compoundable without court permission under Section 320(1) CrPC.
Where is Section 319 IPC located in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
It is located in Section 114 BNS.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·