IPC Section 334
Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 334:
Full Text of IPC Section 334:
“Voluntarily causing hurt on provocation.”
Whoever voluntarily causes hurt to any person upon a sudden quarrel or in the heat of passion, caused by provocation given by that person, and such hurt is not grievous, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.
⚖️ Breaking down IPC Section 334:
Who is the offender?
A person who voluntarily causes hurt (physical injury) to another.
What kind of hurt?
Voluntarily caused hurt (meaning the injury was intentional).
Hurt must be non-grievous (i.e., not serious or life-threatening injuries).
Under what circumstances?
The hurt is caused upon a sudden quarrel or in the heat of passion.
The sudden quarrel or passion must be caused by provocation given by the injured person.
The key is that the offender is provoked suddenly and reacts in the heat of the moment.
What is the punishment?
Imprisonment (rigorous or simple) for up to 1 month,
Or a fine up to ₹500,
Or both.
📌 Key elements:
Voluntary Hurt: The offender intentionally causes hurt.
Non-Grievous Hurt: The injury must be less serious (not falling under grievous hurt defined in Section 320).
Sudden Quarrel / Heat of Passion: The act occurs immediately after provocation, without time for the offender to cool off.
Provocation by the Victim: The victim must have provoked the offender in some way.
No premeditation: The act is impulsive, not planned.
⚠️ Important Points:
Provocation must be sudden: If there is a cooling-off period, this section won’t apply.
Only applies to non-grievous hurt: Serious injuries fall under other sections like 320, 325 IPC.
Provocation by the injured person: If the provocation comes from someone else, this section doesn’t apply.
Lower punishment: Reflects the law’s recognition of human frailty under sudden anger or passion.
🔍 Example Scenarios:
Two persons argue heatedly, and one slaps the other, causing minor injury.
A person insults someone suddenly, and in the heat of the moment, the latter hits back causing minor hurt.
Someone shouts at a person provoking anger, leading to a quick punch causing a small bruise.
📚 Related Sections:
Section 320 IPC — Defines grievous hurt.
Section 323 IPC — Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt (without the sudden quarrel/provocation element).
Section 335 IPC — Hurt caused by grave and sudden provocation.
Section 504 IPC — Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace.
📝 Summary Table:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Section | 334 |
| Offense | Voluntarily causing non-grievous hurt on sudden provocation |
| Punishment | Up to 1 month imprisonment and/or fine up to ₹500 |
| Key condition | Hurt caused in sudden quarrel or heat of passion |
| Nature of hurt | Non-grievous hurt |
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