Acts against which there is no right of private defence
What this section does
This section sets out three situations where the right of private defence does not arise: against acts by public servants acting in good faith that do not reasonably threaten death or grievous hurt; against acts done under direction of such public servants in similar circumstances; and where there is time to seek protection from public authorities. In all cases, the harm inflicted in private defence must not exceed what is necessary for defence.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Derived from IPC s.99.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 37, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 37 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.