Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, a man throws acid on a woman's face causing permanent partial damage to her vision. Which section covers this offence and what is the minimum punishment prescribed?
- A Section 124, rigorous imprisonment of not less than five years, extendable to ten years, with fine ✓
- B Section 121, imprisonment of three to seven years
- C Section 117, imprisonment of ten years extendable to life
- D Section 125, imprisonment of one to five years with mandatory compensation
Correct answer: A. Section 124, rigorous imprisonment of not less than five years, extendable to ten years, with fine
Explanation
Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid is an aggravated form of grievous hurt under BNS Section 124. Where permanent or partial damage or deformity results, the minimum is rigorous imprisonment of five years, extendable to ten years, with fine. This corresponds to IPC Section 326B, though BNS lowered the minimum from ten years to five years. Section 117 is the general offence of voluntarily causing grievous hurt and does not carry the acid-specific enhanced minimum.
Reference: Ratanlal and Dhirajlal's The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2024 ed.
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