(1) Whoever voluntarily causes hurt on grave and sudden provocation, if he neither intends nor knows himself to be likely to cause hurt to any person other than the person who gave the provocation, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
(2) Whoever voluntarily causes grievous hurt on grave and sudden provocation, if he neither intends nor knows himself to be likely to cause grievous hurt to any person other than the person who gave the provocation, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both.
Explanation — —This section is subject to the same proviso as Exception 1 of section 101.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 122
Section 122 provides mitigated punishment for voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt on grave and sudden provocation, prescribing imprisonment up to one month or fine up to five thousand rupees for hurt, and imprisonment up to five years or fine for grievous hurt.
In assault trials where severe injuries were inflicted following verbal insults or catching a spouse in adultery, invoke Section 122 BNS: proving grave and sudden provocation drastically caps custodial exposure to nominal terms.