Section 6Definitions in the Code to be understood subject to exceptions

Section 6 says that whenever IPC defines an offence or gives punishment, those provisions must always be read together with the "General Exceptions" given later in the Code. Even if the exception is not mentioned again in every section, it still applies. This means that some acts may look like offences but are not punishable if they fall under legal exceptions like private defence, accident, or insanity.

This explanation helps you understand. It is not the law itself.

Section 6 establishes the interpretative rule that all offence definitions, penal provisions, and illustrations in IPC are subject to the General Exceptions contained in Chapter IV. The effect of this section is that defences such as mistake of fact, private defence, accident, necessity, insanity, or acts done under legal obligation apply universally, even where not expressly repeated. It embodies the principle that criminal liability must be determined in light of statutory defences.

This explanation helps you understand. It is not the law itself.

Examples

Related situations

• General definition limited by exception›
• Exception overrides general meaning›
• Context-based limitation›