Accident in doing a lawful act
What this section does
Exempts from criminal liability an act done by accident or misfortune, without criminal intention or knowledge, while doing a lawful act in a lawful manner by lawful means and with proper care and caution. All four conditions — lawful act, lawful manner, lawful means, and proper care — must be satisfied.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Derived from IPC s.80.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 18, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 18 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.