Section 326A IPC: Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc.

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 326A IPC at a Glance

Section 326A IPC deals with voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by the Court of Session; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 124(1) BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and with fine.

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Court of Session ⓘ

BNS Equivalent

Section 124(1) →

Section 326A IPC Bare Act Text

326A. Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc.
Whoever causes permanent or partial damage or deformity to, or burns or maims or disfigures or disables, any part or parts of the body of a person or causes grievous hurt by throwing acid on or by administering acid to that person, or by using any other means with the intention of causing or with the knowledge that he is likely to cause such injury or hurt, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and with fine:
Provided that such fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses of the treatment of the victim:
Provided further that any fine imposed under this section shall be paid to the victim.

Source: Section 326A, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 326A IPC in Simple Words

Section 326A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes voluntarily causing permanent or partial damage or deformity, burns, maiming, disfigurement, disability, or grievous hurt by throwing or administering acid or by using any other means. The offender must act with the intention of causing such injury or hurt, or with the knowledge that such injury or hurt is likely to be caused.

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for not less than ten years extending up to imprisonment for life, and with fine. The fine must be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses of the treatment of the victim, and any fine imposed under Section 326A IPC must be paid to the victim.

The offence is cognizable, non-bailable, and triable by the Court of Session.

Ingredients of Section 326A IPC

The accused threw acid on, administered acid to, or used any other means on another person
The act caused permanent or partial damage or deformity to, or burned, maimed, disfigured, or disabled any part or parts of the body of that person, or caused grievous hurt
The accused acted with the intention of causing such injury or hurt, or with the knowledge that he was likely to cause such injury or hurt

Punishment Under Section 326A IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and with fine.

Fine

The fine is mandatory, must be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses of the treatment of the victim, and must be paid to the victim.

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Court of Session ⓘ

Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid carries imprisonment of either description for not less than ten years extending up to life imprisonment, and a mandatory fine payable to the victim to meet medical expenses. The offence is cognizable, non-bailable, triable by the Court of Session, and not compoundable.

Example of Section 326A IPC

In March 2022, near a railway station in Bhopal, Deepak approached Kavita after she rejected his marriage proposal. Carrying a plastic bottle of hydrochloric acid, Deepak splashed the corrosive substance over the arms and shoulders of Kavita with the intention of causing burns and deformity. The acid caused severe burns and partial deformity to her right arm, requiring hospital treatment whose medical expenses any fine paid to Kavita must cover. Because Deepak caused burns and partial deformity to the body of Kavita by throwing acid with the intention of causing such injury, Deepak is punishable under Section 326A IPC.

When Section 326A IPC Does Not Apply

Section 326A IPC does not apply when the accused neither threw acid on, nor administered acid to, nor used any other harmful means against any person.
Section 326A IPC does not apply when the thrown acid misses the target and causes no permanent or partial damage, deformity, burns, maiming, disfigurement, disability, or grievous hurt, which is instead covered by Section 326B IPC.
Section 326A IPC does not apply when a corrosive substance causes injury through an accidental spill without any intention of causing such injury or hurt and without knowledge that such harm is likely.

Section 326A IPC in the BNS

Section 326A IPC is now covered under Section 124(1) BNS.

Section 326A IPC is succeeded by Section 124(1) BNS. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita consolidates acid offences into Section 124(1) BNS, placing causing grievous hurt by acid in sub-section 1. Section 124(1) BNS adds causing a person to be in a permanent vegetative state as an express result of the offence. The punishment remains unchanged, prescribing imprisonment of either description for not less than ten years extending up to imprisonment for life, and with fine. Both statutory provisos are retained, requiring that the fine be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses of the victim and that any fine imposed under the sub-section be paid directly to the victim.

View detailed comparison (IPC 326A vs BNS 124(1)) →

FAQs on Section 326A IPC

What offence does Section 326A IPC punish?▼

Section 326A IPC punishes voluntarily causing permanent or partial damage, deformity, burns, maiming, disfigurement, disability, or grievous hurt by throwing or administering acid or by using any other means, with the intention or knowledge of causing such injury or hurt.

What is the punishment under Section 326A IPC?▼

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term not less than ten years extending up to imprisonment for life, and with fine.

Is the fine under Section 326A IPC mandatory?▼

Yes, the statute mandates a fine, which must be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses of the treatment of the victim, and all fine amounts imposed must be paid to the victim.

Is Section 326A IPC cognizable and bailable?▼

Under the First Schedule to the CrPC, Section 326A IPC is cognizable and non-bailable.

Which court tries cases under Section 326A IPC?▼

Cases under Section 326A IPC are triable by the Court of Session.

Can an offence under Section 326A IPC be compounded?▼

No, Section 326A IPC is not listed in Section 320 CrPC and cannot be compounded by the parties.

How does Section 326A IPC differ from Section 326B IPC?▼

Section 326A IPC punishes completed acts that cause permanent damage, deformity, burns, disability, or grievous hurt, whereas Section 326B IPC punishes throwing or attempting to throw acid even if no grievous hurt results.

Where does Section 326A IPC sit in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

Section 326A IPC is codified in Section 124(1) BNS.

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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 ·