Section 52 IPC: “Good faith”

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 52 IPC at a Glance

Section 52 IPC defines the term “Good faith”. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 2(11) BNS.

Punishment

None. Section 52 IPC creates no offence.

BNS Equivalent

Section 52 IPC Bare Act Text

52. “Good faith”
Nothing is said to be done or believed in “good faith” which is done or believed without due care and attention.

Source: Section 52, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 52 IPC in Simple Words

Section 52 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines the words good faith by saying what is not good faith. Nothing is said to be done or believed in good faith which is done or believed without due care and attention. The section creates no offence and sets no punishment. It fixes the meaning of words used in other sections.

Ingredients of Section 52 IPC

The words good faith
Something done or believed
Done or believed without due care and attention
Which the section says is not done or believed in good faith

Punishment Under Section 52 IPC

Imprisonment

None. Section 52 IPC creates no offence.

Fine

None.

Section 52 IPC is a definition. It has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC.

Example of Section 52 IPC

In 2021, in Shimla, chemist Pranav sold a strong prescription medicine to a customer after glancing only at a torn slip of paper. Pranav neither read the dosage instructions nor checked the prescribing doctor's name, yet he believed that he was supplying the right drug and acting properly. Because Pranav both formed that belief and dispensed the medicine without due care and attention, neither his belief nor his act was in good faith under Section 52 IPC.

When Section 52 IPC Does Not Apply

An action taken after exercising due care and attention is not excluded from good faith by Section 52 IPC.
A belief formed after careful inquiry and proper verification is not treated as lacking good faith under Section 52 IPC.
A proceeding seeking to impose a sentence under Section 52 IPC alone cannot succeed because Section 52 IPC only defines good faith and creates no offence.

Section 52 IPC in the BNS

Section 52 IPC is now covered under Section 2(11) BNS.

Section 2(11) BNS carries the definition forward word for word. It is now clause 11 of the definitions section, headed good faith, in place of a section of its own.

View detailed comparison (IPC 52 vs BNS 2(11)) →

FAQs on Section 52 IPC

What does Section 52 IPC say about good faith?▼

That nothing is said to be done or believed in good faith which is done or believed without due care and attention.

Under Section 52 IPC, does the section say what good faith is?▼

It says what is not good faith. A thing done or believed without due care and attention is not done or believed in good faith.

Which IPC section turns on good faith as defined in Section 52 IPC?▼

Section 79 IPC is one. It protects a person who by reason of a mistake of fact, and not of law, in good faith believes himself justified by law in doing an act.

Does Section 52 IPC create an offence?▼

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

Where is Section 52 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

In Section 2(11) BNS, unchanged in wording.

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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 ·