Punishment for causing death or resulting in persistent vegetative state of victim
What this section does
Prescribes enhanced punishment where rape committed under section 64(1) or 64(2) results in the death of the victim or leaves her in a persistent vegetative state. The punishment is rigorous imprisonment for not less than 20 years extendable to natural life imprisonment, or death.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Rigorous imprisonment not less than 20 years, extendable to imprisonment for the remainder of natural life, or death.
- Triable by
- Sessions Court
- Cognizable
- Yes
- Bailable
- No
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- Commission of rape punishable under section 64(1) or 64(2)
- In the course of such commission, an injury is inflicted
- Such injury causes the death of the woman or causes her to be in a persistent vegetative state
Practitioner note
This section applies only where the predicate offence falls under section 64(1) or 64(2); it does not expressly cover section 65. Death penalty is available. The injury need not be intentional — it must occur 'in the course of' the commission.
Derived from IPC s.376A.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 66, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 66 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.