Section 325 IPC: Punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 325 IPC at a Glance
Section 325 IPC deals with punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 117(2) BNS.
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Section 325 IPC Bare Act Text
325. Punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt
Whoever, except in the case provided for by section 335, voluntarily causes grievous hurt, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Source: Section 325, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 325 IPC in Simple Words
Section 325 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes voluntarily causing grievous hurt, except where the act is done on grave and sudden provocation under Section 335 IPC. The offence carries imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and the offender is also liable to fine.
The First Schedule to the CrPC classifies the offence as cognizable and bailable, triable by any Magistrate. It is compoundable by the person to whom hurt was caused with the permission of the court under Section 320(2) CrPC.
Ingredients of Section 325 IPC
- The accused voluntarily caused hurt to another person
- The hurt caused fell within one of the eight kinds of grievous hurt defined in Section 320 IPC
- The accused intended or knew himself to be likely to cause grievous hurt under Section 322 IPC
- The act was not committed on grave and sudden provocation within the meaning of Section 335 IPC
Punishment Under Section 325 IPC
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
The offender is also liable to fine in addition to imprisonment.
Voluntarily causing grievous hurt under Section 325 IPC is punishable with imprisonment of either description up to seven years, and the offender is also liable to fine. The offence is cognizable, bailable, triable by any Magistrate, and compoundable with court permission under Section 320(2) CrPC.
Example of Section 325 IPC
When Section 325 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 325 IPC does not apply when the bodily injury inflicted is only simple hurt and does not fall within any of the eight categories of grievous hurt in Section 320 IPC, which is dealt with under Section 323 IPC.
- Section 325 IPC does not apply when grievous hurt is voluntarily caused by means of a cutting, stabbing, or shooting instrument or other dangerous weapon or substance, as that offence falls under Section 326 IPC.
- Section 325 IPC does not apply when the offender voluntarily causes grievous hurt on grave and sudden provocation, as that situation is governed by Section 335 IPC.
- Section 325 IPC does not apply when the grievous hurt is inflicted within the lawful limits of the right of private defence under Sections 96 to 106 IPC.
Section 325 IPC in the BNS
Section 325 IPC is now covered under Section 117(2) BNS.
Section 325 IPC is now Section 117(2) BNS. The BNS places the definition of voluntarily causing grievous hurt in sub-section 1 of Section 117 BNS and the punishment in sub-section 2. The punishment of imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, with liability to fine, is unchanged. The exception for grave and sudden provocation now refers to Section 122(2) BNS instead of Section 335 IPC. Section 117(2) BNS also adds two new provisions in sub-sections 3 and 4, on grievous hurt that causes permanent disability or a persistent vegetative state, and on grievous hurt caused by a group of five or more persons acting in concert on the ground of race, caste or community, sex, place of birth, language, personal belief or any other similar ground.
View detailed comparison (IPC 325 vs BNS 117(2)) →FAQs on Section 325 IPC
What offence does Section 325 IPC punish?▼
Section 325 IPC punishes voluntarily causing grievous hurt with imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, and liability to fine.
Is Section 325 IPC bailable?▼
Yes, Section 325 IPC is classified as bailable under the First Schedule to the CrPC, allowing release on bail as of right.
Is an offence under Section 325 IPC cognizable?▼
Yes, the offence is cognizable, authorising police officers to register a case and arrest without a warrant.
Which court tries an offence under Section 325 IPC?▼
Under the First Schedule to the CrPC, an offence under Section 325 IPC is triable by any Magistrate.
Can Section 325 IPC be compounded?▼
Yes, the offence is compoundable by the person injured with the permission of the court under Section 320(2) CrPC.
What elements are required to prove Section 325 IPC?▼
The prosecution must prove that the accused voluntarily caused hurt, that the hurt was grievous under Section 320 IPC, and that the accused intended or knew it likely to cause grievous hurt.
What exception applies to Section 325 IPC?▼
Grievous hurt caused on grave and sudden provocation is excluded from Section 325 IPC and is punished instead under Section 335 IPC.
Where is Section 325 IPC located in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
Section 325 IPC corresponds to Section 117(2) BNS.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·