Section 84 IPC: Act of a person of unsound mind

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 84 IPC at a Glance

Section 84 IPC deals with act of a person of unsound mind. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 22 BNS.

Punishment

None. Section 84 IPC creates no offence.

BNS Equivalent

Section 22 →

Section 84 IPC Bare Act Text

84. Act of a person of unsound mind

Nothing is an offence which is done by a person who, at the time of doing it, by reason of unsoundness of mind, is incapable of knowing the nature of the act, or that he is doing what is either wrong or contrary to law.

Source: Section 84, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 84 IPC in Simple Words

Section 84 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) protects a person of unsound mind. Nothing is an offence which is done by a person who, at the time of doing it, by reason of unsoundness of mind, is incapable of knowing the nature of the act, or that he is doing what is either wrong or contrary to law.

Ingredients of Section 84 IPC

  • The act is done by a person who is of unsound mind at the time of doing it
  • By reason of that unsoundness of mind he is incapable of knowing the nature of the act, or that he is doing what is either wrong or contrary to law

Punishment Under Section 84 IPC

Imprisonment

None. Section 84 IPC creates no offence.

Fine

None.

Section 84 IPC is a General Exception. It has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC.

Example of Section 84 IPC

In 2015 in Nagpur, Pranav Deshmukh suffered from severe paranoid schizophrenia. One afternoon, he picked up a brass paperweight from a desk and struck a visiting postman, Dilip Gavande, on the shoulder, injuring him. Medical evidence established that at the time of doing the act, by reason of unsoundness of mind, Pranav Deshmukh was incapable of knowing the nature of the act or that he was doing what was either wrong or contrary to law. Because that incapacity existed when he struck the blow, the act is not an offence because of Section 84 IPC.

When Section 84 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 84 IPC does not apply when the person is of sound mind at the exact time the act is committed, even if the person suffered from mental illness earlier or later.
  • Section 84 IPC does not apply when a person has a mental disorder but remains capable of knowing the nature of the act and that the act is wrong or contrary to law.
  • Section 84 IPC does not apply when the person's inability to understand the act arises from voluntary intoxication rather than unsoundness of mind.

Section 84 IPC in the BNS

Section 84 IPC is now covered under Section 22 BNS.

Section 22 BNS keeps the exception in the same words.

View detailed comparison (IPC 84 vs BNS 22) →

FAQs on Section 84 IPC

What does Section 84 IPC say?▼

That nothing is an offence which is done by a person who, at the time of doing it, by reason of unsoundness of mind, is incapable of knowing the nature of the act, or that he is doing what is either wrong or contrary to law.

When is the state of mind tested under Section 84 IPC?▼

At the time of doing the act.

Does Section 84 IPC cover a person made incapable by intoxication?▼

No. Section 85 IPC deals with intoxication caused against the person's will.

Is Section 84 IPC an offence?▼

No. It is a General Exception in Chapter IV, so an act within it is not an offence.

What is the BNS equivalent of Section 84 IPC?▼

Section 22 BNS, in the same words.

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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 ·