Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter VI: Of Offences Affecting the Human Body · Of criminal force and assault
Section 131: Punishment for assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation
In plain words
Assault or criminal force without grave and sudden provocation is punishable with up to three months in prison, or a fine up to one thousand rupees, or both.
- Provocation does not reduce the punishment if it was sought out, came from a lawful act or a public servant's lawful act, or from lawful private defence.
- Whether the provocation was grave and sudden enough is a question of fact.
A simplified explanation, prepared with AI assistance from the official text below and checked automatically against it for numbers and cross-references. The official text is the law and prevails over this summary. Not legal advice.
Official text
Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any person otherwise than on grave and sudden provocation given by that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Explanation 1.—Grave and sudden provocation will not mitigate the punishment for an offence under this section,—
(a) if the provocation is sought or voluntarily provoked by the offender as an excuse for the offence; or
(b) if the provocation is given by anything done in obedience to the law, or by a public servant, in the lawful exercise of the powers of such public servant; or
(c) if the provocation is given by anything done in the lawful exercise of the right of private defence.
Explanation 2.—Whether the provocation was grave and sudden enough to mitigate the offence, is a question of fact.
Corresponding sections were matched by comparing the wording of both official texts, and for the IPC and BNS, also against a published correspondence table. Wording, punishments and structure often changed, so read both sections before relying on the match.
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 25 August 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.
Supreme Court judgments citing the section 131
No Supreme Court judgment in our database cites this section yet.