Section 131Punishment for assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation

Chapter VI — Of Offences Affecting the Human Body

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Text of the law

Official text (Gazette) Not yet legally reviewed

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,—
1. (a) if the provocation is sought or voluntarily provoked by the offender as an excuse for the offence; or
2. (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
3. (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.

Amendments, judgments and appeal information have not been added for this section yet.

Where this text comes from: Gazette of India, Extraordinary, No. 53, 25 December 2023 (Act No. 45 of 2023)
Type of text: Official text (Gazette)
Pages in the Gazette: p. 44
Text version: As originally enacted in 2023. This text may not reflect subsequent amendments or commencement notifications. Last status check: 6 November 2026.
When the Act came into force: 1 July 2024, under Government notification S.O. 850(E), dated 23 February 2024. Read notification S.O. 850(E) in the Gazette of India (PDF, opens in a new tab)The notification excluded section 106(2); see the note on that section.Whether an excluded provision was brought into force later has not been independently confirmed. Checked against the Gazette on 6 November 2026. Not yet reviewed by a qualified legal professional.
Checked by computer against the Gazette?: Yes, words and structure match
Reviewed by a qualified legal professional?: Not yet
Copied on: 5 Nov 2026

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