Section 87 IPC: Act not intended and not known to be likely to cause death or grievous hurt, done by consent
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 87 IPC at a Glance
Section 87 IPC deals with act not intended and not known to be likely to cause death or grievous hurt, done by consent. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 25 BNS.
None. Section 87 IPC creates no offence.
Section 87 IPC Bare Act Text
87. Act not intended and not known to be likely to cause death or grievous hurt, done by consent
Nothing which is not intended to cause death, or grievous hurt, and which is not known by the doer to be likely to cause death or grievous hurt, is an offence by reason of any harm which it may cause, or be intended by the doer to cause, to any person, above eighteen years of age, who has given consent, whether express or implied, to suffer that harm; or by reason of any harm which it may be known by the doer to be likely to cause to any such person who has consented to take the risk of that harm.
IllustrationA and Z agree to fence with each other for amusement. This agreement implies the consent of each to suffer any harm which, in the course of such fencing, may be caused without foul play; and if A, while playing fairly, hurts Z, A commits no offence.
Source: Section 87, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 87 IPC in Simple Words
Section 87 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) protects an act done with the consent of an adult.
Nothing is an offence by reason of any harm which it causes, or is meant or known to be likely to cause, to a person above eighteen years of age who has given consent, express or implied, to suffer that harm or to take the risk of it, so long as the act is not intended to cause death or grievous hurt and is not known by the doer to be likely to cause either.
Ingredients of Section 87 IPC
- The act is not intended to cause death or grievous hurt
- It is not known by the doer to be likely to cause death or grievous hurt
- The harm is caused to a person above eighteen years of age
- That person has given consent, whether express or implied, to suffer the harm, or has consented to take the risk of it
Punishment Under Section 87 IPC
None. Section 87 IPC creates no offence.
None.
Section 87 IPC is a General Exception. It has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC.
Example of Section 87 IPC
When Section 87 IPC Does Not Apply
- The doer intends to cause death or grievous hurt by performing the act.
- The doer knows at the time of acting that the conduct is likely to result in death or grievous hurt.
- The person who suffers the harm is eighteen years of age or younger.
- The injured person never gave express or implied consent to suffer the harm or to accept the risk of it.
Section 87 IPC in the BNS
Section 87 IPC is now covered under Section 25 BNS.
Section 25 BNS keeps the exception in the same words.
View detailed comparison (IPC 87 vs BNS 25) →FAQs on Section 87 IPC
What does Section 87 IPC say?▼
That an act is not an offence by reason of harm it causes to a person above eighteen years of age who has consented to suffer that harm or take the risk of it, if the act is not intended or known to be likely to cause death or grievous hurt.
Can a person consent to being killed under Section 87 IPC?▼
No. The act must not be intended to cause death or grievous hurt, and must not be known to be likely to cause either.
Under Section 87 IPC, is the consent of a person under eighteen enough?▼
No. The section applies only to a person above eighteen years of age.
Is Section 87 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 87 IPC?▼
Section 25 BNS, in the same words.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·