Section 324 IPC: Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 324 IPC at a Glance

Section 324 IPC deals with voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 118(1) BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ
BNS Equivalent

Section 118(1) →

Section 324 IPC Bare Act Text

324. Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means

Whoever, except in the case provided for by section 334, voluntarily causes hurt by means of any instrument for shooting, stabbing or cutting, or any instrument which, used as a weapon of offence, is likely to cause death, or by means of fire or any heated substance, or by means of any poison or any corrosive substance, or by means of any explosive substance or by means of any substance which it is deleterious to the human body to inhale, to swallow, or to receive into the blood, or by means of any animal, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

Source: Section 324, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 324 IPC in Simple Words

Section 324 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means, except in the case provided for by Section 334 IPC. The means are any instrument for shooting, stabbing or cutting, or any instrument which, used as a weapon of offence, is likely to cause death, or fire or any heated substance, or any poison or any corrosive substance, or any explosive substance, or any substance which it is deleterious to the human body to inhale, to swallow, or to receive into the blood, or any animal.

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to three years, or fine, or both. The offence is cognizable and bailable, and it is triable by any Magistrate.

Ingredients of Section 324 IPC

  • The accused voluntarily caused hurt to a person
  • The hurt was caused by means of any instrument for shooting, stabbing or cutting, or any instrument which, used as a weapon of offence, is likely to cause death
  • Or the hurt was caused by means of fire or any heated substance, any poison or any corrosive substance, any explosive substance, any substance which it is deleterious to the human body to inhale, to swallow, or to receive into the blood, or any animal
  • The case is not one provided for by Section 334 IPC, which covers hurt caused on grave and sudden provocation

Punishment Under Section 324 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

Fine

The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine. The section sets no limit on the fine.

Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means under Section 324 IPC is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to three years, or fine, or both. The offence is cognizable, bailable, triable by any Magistrate, and not compoundable.

Example of Section 324 IPC

In May 2021, at a grain market in Jaipur, Vikram argued with Devendra over loading charges for a lorry. Without any grave and sudden provocation from Devendra, Vikram intentionally picked up a red-hot iron poker from a nearby coal brazier and pressed it against the shoulder of Devendra. The heated metal caused a painful burn on the skin that healed within a week without causing any grievous hurt. Because Vikram voluntarily caused hurt to Devendra by means of a heated substance and the case did not fall under Section 334 IPC, Vikram is punishable under Section 324 IPC.

When Section 324 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 324 IPC does not apply when the injury inflicted with the dangerous weapon or means amounts to grievous hurt, which falls under Section 326 IPC.
  • Section 324 IPC does not apply when simple hurt is caused using bare hands or an ordinary object that is not one of the weapons or substances listed in the provision, as that is covered by Section 323 IPC.
  • Section 324 IPC does not apply when the offender causes hurt with a dangerous weapon while deprived of self-control by grave and sudden provocation, as that case is governed by Section 334 IPC.
  • Section 324 IPC does not apply when the hurt is caused in the lawful exercise of the right of private defence under Sections 96 to 106 IPC.

Section 324 IPC in the BNS

Section 324 IPC is now covered under Section 118(1) BNS.

Section 324 IPC is succeeded by Section 118(1) BNS. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita consolidates hurt and grievous hurt by dangerous weapons into Section 118(1) BNS, with simple hurt placed in sub-section 1. While the maximum term of imprisonment remains three years, Section 118(1) BNS introduces a specific ceiling on fine of up to twenty thousand rupees. The exception for grave and sudden provocation references Section 122(1) BNS instead of Section 334 IPC.

View detailed comparison (IPC 324 vs BNS 118(1)) →

FAQs on Section 324 IPC

What offence is covered under Section 324 IPC?▼

Section 324 IPC punishes voluntarily causing hurt by means of any instrument for shooting, stabbing or cutting, or any instrument which, used as a weapon of offence, is likely to cause death, or fire or any heated substance, or any poison or any corrosive substance, or any explosive substance, or any substance which it is deleterious to the human body to inhale, to swallow, or to receive into the blood, or any animal.

What is the punishment prescribed under Section 324 IPC?▼

The offence is punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

Is Section 324 IPC bailable or non-bailable?▼

Section 324 IPC is classified as bailable under the First Schedule to the CrPC, allowing bail as a matter of right.

Is an offence under Section 324 IPC cognizable?▼

Yes, the offence is cognizable, empowering police officers to arrest without a warrant and initiate investigation.

Which court tries an offence under Section 324 IPC?▼

Under the First Schedule to the CrPC, an offence under Section 324 IPC is triable by any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 324 IPC be compounded?▼

No, Section 324 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC, so the parties cannot compound it.

How does Section 324 IPC differ from Section 326 IPC?▼

Section 324 IPC applies when dangerous weapons cause simple hurt, whereas Section 326 IPC applies when dangerous weapons cause grievous hurt.

Where is Section 324 IPC placed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

Section 324 IPC is codified in Section 118(1) BNS.

Have questions about Section 324 IPC?

Ask NyayGuru for a plain language explanation, punishment details, or how it applies to your situation.

Ask NyayGuru →

Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·