Section 14 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
Section 14 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, addresses the legal principle of "Act done by a person bound, or by mistake of fact believing himself bound, by law." This section provides that an act is not considered an offence if it is done by a person who is, or who, due to a mistake of fact (and not a mistake of law), in good faith believes himself to be legally bound to do it.(constitutionofindia.in, lawx.in)
Text of Section 14
Section 14
Nothing is an offence which is done by a person who is, or who by reason of a mistake of fact and not by reason of a mistake of law in good faith believes himself to be, bound by law to do it.(legallawstudy.in)
Illustrations
(a) A soldier fires on a mob by the order of his superior officer, in conformity with the commands of the law. A has committed no offence.(lawx.in)
(b) An officer of a Court, being ordered by that Court to arrest Y, and, after due enquiry, believing Z to be Y, arrests Z. A has committed no offence.
These illustrations clarify that actions taken in good faith, under the belief that one is legally bound to perform them, are not considered offences, even if they result in harm or mistake.
This provision corresponds to Section 76 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, which similarly exempts individuals from liability when they act under a mistaken belief of being legally bound to do so.
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