Section 337 IPC: Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 337 IPC at a Glance

Section 337 IPC deals with causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 125(a) BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or fine, or both.

Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘCompoundable (with court permission) ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ
BNS Equivalent

Section 125(a) →

Section 337 IPC Bare Act Text

337. Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others

Whoever causes hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or the personal safety of others, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.

Source: Section 337, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 337 IPC in Simple Words

Section 337 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes causing hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or the personal safety of others.

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.

The offence is cognizable, bailable, triable by any Magistrate, and compoundable under Section 320(2) CrPC with the permission of the court by the person to whom the hurt is caused.

Ingredients of Section 337 IPC

  • The accused did an act
  • The act was done rashly or negligently
  • The act was done so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or the personal safety of others
  • The act caused hurt to another person

Punishment Under Section 337 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or fine, or both.

Fine

Fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, alone or with imprisonment.

Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘCompoundable (with court permission) ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

Causing hurt by an act endangering life or the personal safety of others is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to six months, or with fine of up to five hundred rupees, or with both.

Example of Section 337 IPC

In 2021, at a residential apartment courtyard in Guwahati, contractor Hemant operated a mechanical pulley to hoist buckets of sand to the third floor using a frayed, worn-out cable without clearing the area below. The weak cable snapped mid-air, and the bucket fell and grazed resident Tarun on the back, causing a painful cut and swelling. Hemant did an act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life and the personal safety of others, and thereby caused hurt to Tarun. Hemant is punishable under Section 337 IPC.

When Section 337 IPC Does Not Apply

  • The act is carried out with reasonable care and involves no rashness or negligence.
  • The conduct does not endanger human life or the personal safety of others.
  • The rash or negligent act endangers safety but does not actually cause hurt to any person.
  • The hurt is caused intentionally or voluntarily rather than through a rash or negligent act.

Section 337 IPC in the BNS

Section 337 IPC is now covered under Section 125(a) BNS.

Section 337 IPC is succeeded by clause a of Section 125 BNS. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 125(a) BNS combines endangering acts without hurt, with hurt under clause a, and with grievous hurt under clause b. The maximum fine for causing hurt by an endangering act increases tenfold from five hundred rupees under Section 337 IPC to five thousand rupees under clause a of Section 125 BNS. The maximum term of imprisonment remains six months, and the substantive elements of the offence are unchanged.

View detailed comparison (IPC 337 vs BNS 125(a)) →

FAQs on Section 337 IPC

What offence does Section 337 IPC punish?▼

Section 337 IPC punishes causing hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety of others.

What punishment is prescribed under Section 337 IPC?▼

Section 337 IPC prescribes imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.

Is Section 337 IPC cognizable or non-cognizable?▼

Under the First Schedule to the CrPC, Section 337 IPC is a cognizable offence.

Is Section 337 IPC bailable?▼

Yes, Section 337 IPC is classified as bailable under the First Schedule to the CrPC.

Which court tries an offence under Section 337 IPC?▼

Under the First Schedule to the CrPC, an offence under Section 337 IPC is triable by any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 337 IPC be compounded?▼

Yes, an offence under Section 337 IPC is compoundable under Section 320(2) CrPC with the permission of the court by the person to whom the hurt is caused.

How does Section 337 IPC differ from Section 336 IPC?▼

Section 336 IPC applies where an act endangers human life or personal safety but causes no physical hurt, whereas Section 337 IPC applies when that endangering act causes hurt to another person.

What is the equivalent provision for Section 337 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

Section 337 IPC corresponds to clause a of Section 125 BNS, which raises the maximum fine to five thousand rupees while preserving the six-month imprisonment term.

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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 ·