BNS Section 18

BNS Chapter III: General Exceptions

Nothing is an offence

• which is done by accident or misfortune, and
• without any criminal intention or knowledge
• in the doing of a lawful act in a lawful manner by lawful means and with proper care and caution.

Illustration.

A is at work with a hatchet; the head flies off and kills a man who is standing by. Here, if there was no want of proper caution on the part of A, his act is excusable and not an offence.