Section 320 IPC: Grievous hurt
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 320 IPC at a Glance
Section 320 IPC deals with grievous hurt. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 116 BNS.
Section 320 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 320 IPC Bare Act Text
320. Grievous hurt
The following kinds of hurt only are designated as “grievous”:—
First.—Emasculation.
Secondly.—Permanent privation of the sight of either eye.
Thirdly.—Permanent privation of the hearing of either ear.
Fourthly.—Privation of any member or joint.
Fifthly.—Destruction or permanent impairing of the powers of any member or joint.
Sixthly.—Permanent disfiguration of the head or face.
Seventhly.—Fracture or dislocation of a bone or tooth.
Eighthly.—Any hurt which endangers life or which causes the sufferer to be during the space of twenty days in severe bodily pain, or unable to follow his ordinary pursuits.
Source: Section 320, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 320 IPC in Simple Words
Section 320 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines grievous hurt. Only eight kinds of hurt are designated as grievous.
They include emasculation, permanent privation of the sight of either eye or the hearing of either ear, fracture or dislocation of a bone or tooth, and any hurt which endangers life. The section is a definition and prescribes no punishment of its own.
Voluntarily causing grievous hurt is punished under Section 325 IPC and Section 326 IPC.
Ingredients of Section 320 IPC
- Emasculation
- Permanent privation of the sight of either eye
- Permanent privation of the hearing of either ear
- Privation of any member or joint
- Destruction or permanent impairing of the powers of any member or joint
- Permanent disfiguration of the head or face
- Fracture or dislocation of a bone or tooth
- Any hurt which endangers life or which causes the sufferer to be during the space of twenty days in severe bodily pain, or unable to follow his ordinary pursuits
Punishment Under Section 320 IPC
Section 320 IPC is a definition and does not prescribe punishment. Penalties for voluntarily causing grievous hurt are prescribed in Section 325 and Section 326 IPC.
No fine is prescribed in this definition section.
Grievous hurt is exhaustively defined by eight statutory categories of serious injury. The section is definitional with no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC, and punishing provisions include Section 325 and Section 326 IPC.
Example of Section 320 IPC
When Section 320 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 320 IPC does not apply to a bodily injury that does not fall within any of the eight exhaustive categories specified in the provision.
- A bruise or sprain without any bone or tooth fracture or dislocation that causes severe pain or inability to follow ordinary pursuits for fewer than twenty days and does not endanger life is not grievous hurt under Section 320 IPC.
- Temporary blurring of vision or temporary loss of hearing in an eye or ear does not satisfy Section 320 IPC because the privation of sight or hearing must be permanent.
- A superficial scratch on the head or face that heals completely without leaving any permanent disfiguration falls outside the sixth clause of Section 320 IPC.
Section 320 IPC in the BNS
Section 320 IPC is now covered under Section 116 BNS.
Section 320 IPC is succeeded by Section 116 BNS. The eight clauses are now lettered from a to h rather than First to Eighthly. In the eighth clause, the period of severe bodily pain or inability to follow ordinary pursuits is reduced from twenty days to fifteen days.
View detailed comparison (IPC 320 vs BNS 116) →FAQs on Section 320 IPC
What does Section 320 IPC define?▼
Section 320 IPC defines grievous hurt by designating an exhaustive list of eight specific kinds of serious bodily injuries.
What are the eight kinds of grievous hurt under Section 320 IPC?▼
Emasculation; permanent privation of the sight of either eye; permanent privation of the hearing of either ear; privation of any member or joint; destruction or permanent impairing of the powers of any member or joint; permanent disfiguration of the head or face; fracture or dislocation of a bone or tooth; and any hurt which endangers life or which causes the sufferer to be during the space of twenty days in severe bodily pain, or unable to follow his ordinary pursuits.
What punishment is prescribed under Section 320 IPC?▼
Section 320 IPC does not prescribe any punishment. Penalties are imposed under substantive sections such as Section 325 IPC for voluntarily causing grievous hurt and Section 326 IPC where dangerous weapons or means are used.
Is a bone fracture always grievous hurt under Section 320 IPC?▼
Yes. The seventh limb explicitly classifies fracture or dislocation of a bone or tooth as grievous hurt regardless of the duration of healing.
Is an offence of grievous hurt under Section 320 IPC bailable?▼
Section 320 IPC has no bail classification because it is a definition. Bail is governed by the penal section charged; Section 325 IPC is bailable, while Section 326 IPC is non-bailable.
Which court tries an offence defined under Section 320 IPC?▼
Trial jurisdiction is governed by the penal charge; under Section 325 IPC it is triable by any Magistrate, while under Section 326 IPC it is triable by a Magistrate of the first class.
Can grievous hurt under Section 320 IPC be compounded?▼
Compounding is governed by the punishing section; voluntarily causing grievous hurt under Section 325 IPC is compoundable with the permission of the court under Section 320(2) CrPC.
Where is Section 320 IPC located in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
It is located in Section 116 BNS.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·