IPC Section 19
⚖️ Section 19 of the Indian Penal Code — "Judge"
📘 Legal Meaning (Simplified):
Section 19 defines who is considered a “Judge” under the IPC.
🔍 What does Section 19 say?
It states:
The word “Judge” includes any person who is appointed or empowered by law to act as a judge.
🧐 Detailed Explanation:
Broad Definition:
The term “Judge” is not limited only to a High Court Judge, Supreme Court Judge, or Sessions Judge.
It includes any person authorized by law to perform judicial functions.
This means even a magistrate, or any official legally empowered to conduct judicial proceedings, comes under the term "Judge."
Why this definition?
The IPC needs to clearly specify who is a judge to apply certain offenses like criminal intimidation of a judge, obstruction of justice, giving false evidence before a judge, etc.
Without this definition, there could be confusion about who counts as a judge for legal purposes.
Examples of Judges under this section:
District Magistrate performing judicial functions.
Chief Judicial Magistrate.
Revenue officer acting judicially.
Arbitrators or tribunal members when exercising judicial authority under law.
Legal Authority:
The person must be appointed or empowered by law — meaning their authority comes from some statute, constitution, or recognized legal framework.
📌 Why is this Important?
Certain crimes under IPC or other laws specify offenses committed against a "judge."
This section ensures that such laws cover a wide range of officials who perform judicial duties, not just high-ranking judges.
For example:
If someone threatens or obstructs a judge, the law punishes it severely.
For those laws to work, it must be clear who counts as a judge.
✅ Summary:
Section 19 IPC clarifies that “Judge” means any person authorized by law to act as a judge.
This broad definition includes magistrates, judges of all courts, and other officials performing judicial functions.
It helps to apply laws relating to judges effectively.
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