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Section 114: Hurt

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita • Chapter VI: Of Offences Affecting the Human Body • Official Statutory Text & Legal Guide

Chapter VI: Of Offences Affecting the Human Body
Any Magistrate
Bailable
Non-Cognizable
Formerly Sec 319 IPC
Section 113 All 358 Sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 115

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 114

Section 114 provides the statutory definition of 'Hurt', establishing that whoever causes bodily pain, disease, or infirmity to any person is said to cause hurt.

  • Three Disjunctive Elements: Causes: (1) Bodily pain, OR (2) Disease (transmission of illness), OR (3) Infirmity (temporary or permanent physical breakdown).
  • Non-Requirement of Visible Injury: Visible bruising or blood is NOT required; physical pain alone satisfies the statutory definition.
  • Foundational Element: Constitutes the basic building block for all higher personal violence offences under the Sanhita.
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • State of Karnataka v. Shivanna (2014) 8 SCC 913: The Supreme Court examined the definition of hurt under Section 319 IPC (Section 114 BNS), affirming that infliction of physical suffering, even without permanent damage, satisfies statutory criteria.
  • Jashanmal Jhamatmal v. Brahmanand Sarupanand (AIR 1944 Sind 19): Historic authority: causing nervous shock or mental infirmity by terrifying someone constitutes 'infirmity' under the definition of hurt.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

In medical-legal reports (MLCs), scrutinize the doctor's findings: if the examining doctor records 'No external visible injury, only subjective complaint of pain', the offence is simple hurt under Section 114/115 BNS, which is non-cognizable and bailable.

Section 113 All 358 Sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 115