Section 47 IPC: “Animal”

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 47 IPC at a Glance

Section 47 IPC defines the term “Animal”. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 2(2) BNS.

Punishment

None. Section 47 IPC creates no offence.

BNS Equivalent

Section 2(2) →

Section 47 IPC Bare Act Text

47. “Animal”

The word “animal” denotes any living creature, other than a human being.

Source: Section 47, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 47 IPC in Simple Words

Section 47 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines the word animal. An animal denotes any living creature, other than a human being. The section creates no offence and sets no punishment. It fixes the meaning of a word used in other sections.

Ingredients of Section 47 IPC

  • The word animal
  • Denotes any living creature
  • Other than a human being

Punishment Under Section 47 IPC

Imprisonment

None. Section 47 IPC creates no offence.

Fine

None.

Section 47 IPC is a definition. It has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC.

Example of Section 47 IPC

In Bikaner in 2020, Suresh had a dispute with his neighbour Lata over grazing land and deliberately fed poisoned millet to Lata's prize camel, maiming it severely. During the scuffle at the fence, Suresh also struck Lata's farmhand Bhuvan with a wooden stick. For the offence of mischief by maiming an animal, the camel was a living creature other than a human being, while Bhuvan was a human being. Accordingly, the camel was an animal within Section 47 IPC.

When Section 47 IPC Does Not Apply

  • A human being is expressly excluded from the meaning of an animal under Section 47 IPC.
  • An inanimate object, such as a carved wooden horse or a bronze bull, is not an animal under Section 47 IPC because it is not a living creature.
  • A stone statue of an elephant at a temple gate is not an animal within Section 47 IPC because it is not a living creature.
  • A mechanical or battery-operated decoy bird is not an animal under Section 47 IPC because it has no life.

Section 47 IPC in the BNS

Section 47 IPC is now covered under Section 2(2) BNS.

Section 2(2) BNS keeps the definition and changes one word. Animal means any living creature, other than a human being, where the IPC said denotes. It is now clause 2 of the definitions section, with the word in lower case, in place of a section of its own.

View detailed comparison (IPC 47 vs BNS 2(2)) →

FAQs on Section 47 IPC

What does Section 47 IPC define?▼

The word animal, which it fixes as any living creature, other than a human being.

Does Section 47 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.

Which IPC offences use 'animal' in the sense of Section 47 IPC?▼

Section 428 IPC is one. It punishes mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless an animal of the value of ten rupees or upwards. Section 429 IPC is another and names the elephant, camel, horse, mule, buffalo, bull, cow or ox.

Under Section 47 IPC, does the word animal include a human being?▼

No. The section says any living creature, other than a human being.

Where is Section 47 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

In Section 2(2) 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 ·