Section 44 IPC: “Injury”

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 44 IPC at a Glance

Section 44 IPC defines the term “Injury”. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 2(14) BNS.

Punishment

None. Section 44 IPC creates no offence.

BNS Equivalent

Section 2(14) →

Section 44 IPC Bare Act Text

44. “Injury”

The word “injury” denotes any harm whatever illegally caused to any person, in body, mind, reputation or property.

Source: Section 44, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 44 IPC in Simple Words

Section 44 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines the word injury. Injury denotes any harm whatever illegally caused to any person, in body, mind, reputation or property. Illegally is itself defined in Section 43 IPC. The section creates no offence and sets no punishment. It fixes the meaning of a word used in other sections.

Ingredients of Section 44 IPC

  • Harm of any kind whatever
  • Illegally caused
  • To any person
  • In body, mind, reputation or property

Punishment Under Section 44 IPC

Imprisonment

None. Section 44 IPC creates no offence.

Fine

None.

Section 44 IPC is a definition. It has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC.

Example of Section 44 IPC

In Madurai in 2018, Raghav broke into Kavita's jeweller's shop at night after a trade dispute. He struck Kavita on her arm, locked her inside a dark room to terrify her, smashed her glass display cases, and pasted false handbills on the street accusing her of selling stolen gold. Each act was an offence and furnished ground for a civil action, so the harm was caused illegally. Because Raghav illegally caused harm to Kavita in her body, mind, property, and reputation, each form of harm was an injury within Section 44 IPC.

When Section 44 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Harm caused to a person through a lawful act, such as loss of business from honest competition, is not an injury under Section 44 IPC because it is not caused illegally.
  • Physical pain inflicted during a lawful surgical operation performed with consent is not an injury under Section 44 IPC because no illegality is involved.
  • Financial loss suffered when a court lawfully orders the attachment of a debtor's goods is not an injury within Section 44 IPC.
  • Damage that affects no person in body, mind, reputation, or property does not amount to injury under Section 44 IPC.

Section 44 IPC in the BNS

Section 44 IPC is now covered under Section 2(14) BNS.

Section 2(14) BNS keeps the definition and changes one word. Injury means any harm whatever illegally caused to any person, in body, mind, reputation or property, where the IPC said denotes. It is now clause 14 of the definitions section, with the word in lower case, in place of a section of its own.

View detailed comparison (IPC 44 vs BNS 2(14)) →

FAQs on Section 44 IPC

What does Section 44 IPC define?▼

The word injury, which it fixes as any harm whatever illegally caused to any person.

What kinds of harm does Section 44 IPC cover?▼

Harm to a person in body, mind, reputation or property, so long as it is illegally caused.

What does illegally mean under Section 44 IPC?▼

Section 43 IPC defines the word illegal as applicable to everything which is an offence or which is prohibited by law, or which furnishes ground for a civil action.

Does Section 44 IPC create an offence?▼

No. It fixes the meaning of a word and sets no punishment. The sections that use the word carry the punishment.

Where is Section 44 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

In Section 2(14) BNS, with the verb changed from denotes to means.

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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 ·