IPC Section 94
IPC Section 94 – Acts done in good faith for benefit of a person under danger
Text of Section 94 (simplified):
"Acts done in good faith for the benefit of a person, who is in danger of death, or in danger of causing death or grievous hurt, are not offences even if such acts cause harm, provided they are done with the intention of saving life or preventing serious harm."
Explanation:
Key Concepts:
Good Faith: The act must be performed honestly, with no intention to cause harm.
Person in Danger: Someone who is in imminent danger of death or serious injury.
Benefit: The act should be intended to help the person, such as saving their life or preventing serious injury.
Purpose of Section 94:
Protects people who perform necessary acts in emergency situations.
Encourages people to help others in danger without fear of legal consequences, even if the act unintentionally causes harm.
Illustration / Example:
A doctor performs an emergency surgery on a patient to save their life, but the patient dies due to unforeseen complications.
Since the surgery was done in good faith to save life, the doctor is not criminally liable.
Another example: A person pushes someone out of the way of an oncoming train, accidentally causing minor injuries. This is protected under Section 94.
Conditions for Protection under Section 94:
Act must be in good faith.
Act must be for the benefit of the person in danger.
Act must be necessary to prevent death or grievous harm.
Act must be reasonable under the circumstances.
Legal Effect:
Provides protection from criminal liability when doing acts intended to save life or prevent serious harm in emergencies.
This is sometimes referred to as the "emergency aid" or good Samaritan protection in Indian law.
✅ In short:
If you do something to save a person in danger or prevent serious harm, even if the act causes some injury, you are not guilty, provided it is done in good faith and for their benefit.
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