IPC Section 99
📖 IPC Section 99 – Acts done in good faith for the benefit of the public, or to protect a person from legal consequences
Section 99 deals with acts that would normally be offences but are not considered offences if they are done in certain circumstances, like in good faith for the public good or to prevent harm. It is essentially a protective provision under the law.
⚖️ Key Points:
Acts done in good faith –
If a person does something in good faith (with honest intention, not to harm) and for the benefit of the public, it may not be punishable even if it seems to be an offence.
Acts to protect someone from harm –
If the act is done to protect a person from death, grievous hurt, or other danger, it may also be justified.
Key idea –
Mens rea (intent) matters.
The act must be honest and intended to prevent harm or benefit society.
📌 Simplified Explanation:
Normally, an act like trespassing, destruction of property, or even minor assault would be illegal.
But if you do it to save lives or prevent greater harm, Section 99 provides a legal shield.
✅ Examples:
Breaking into a house to save someone from fire –
You break the door to save a child from a burning house.
Normally, breaking and entering is an offence.
Under Section 99, this act is justified because it was done in good faith to protect life.
Destroying property to prevent larger harm –
Cutting a tree to prevent it from falling on a school building during a storm.
The act would normally be illegal (property destruction), but done in good faith for public benefit.
⚠️ Important Notes:
Good faith and intention matter.
If the act is done maliciously or selfishly, Section 99 does not protect you.
It is a defense for necessity or public benefit.
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