Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself justified, by law
What this section does
Creates a general exception for acts done by a person who is justified by law, or who in good faith and by reason of a mistake of fact (not law) believes themselves to be so justified. The illustration covers a private person apprehending someone reasonably believed to be a murderer caught in the act.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Derived from IPC s.79.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 17, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 17 forms part of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita which replaced the Indian Penal Code 1860 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.