Dr.
Ravulapati Madhavi
Associate Professor of Law
Dr. MCR HRDI
No criminal law may be found in uncivilized
society.
A state may exist without constitutional law
but not without criminal law.
proper understanding of changing texture of
crimes and methods of controlling them is
essential and inevitable.
A need to study the socio-economic and
political undercurrents of the crimes.
Type of crimes Duration of Commission of Crime Number of
Crime
I Violent crimes Number of
Crime
1 Murder Every 16 Minutes One
2 Attempt to commit Every 19 Minutes One
Murder
3 Culpable Homicide Every 2 Hours one
not Amounting to
murder
4 Rape Every 29 Minutes One
5 Kidnapping and Every 23 Minutes One
Abduction
6 Dacoity (Gang Every 2 Hours One
Robbery)
7 Preparation and Every 3 Hours One
assembly for
Dacoity
8 Robbery Every 30Minutes One
9 Riots Every 9 minutes One
10 Arson Every 1 Hours One
Type of crimes Duration of Number of Crime
Commission of
Crime
III Property crime Every Minute One
15 Burglary Every 6 Minutes One
16 Theft Every 2 Minutes One
IV Other IPC crime ---- -----
17 Molestation Every 15 Minutes One
18 Sexual Harassment Every 53 Minutes One
19 Cruelty by Husband or Every 9 Minutes One
Relatives
20 Death due to Negligence Every 8.5 Minutes One
21 Hurt Every 1 Minutes One
V Crimes committed Against Every 3 Minutes One
Women
VI Crimes Committed Against SC Every 20 Minutes One
VII Crimes Committed Against ST Every 92 Minutes One
The term “crime” is incapable of exact definition. In
generic sense, it denotes ‘an act proscribed by law’
and subject to public reprobation. They are
detrimental to public interest and liable to legal
punishment.
Sir James Stephen says –
“Crime is an act which is both forbidden by law and
revolting to the moral sentiments of the society.”
According to Halsbury’s Laws of England –
“A crime is an unlawful act or default which is an
offence against the public and renders the person guilty
of the act or default liable to legal punishment.”
ACTUS NON FACET REUM NISI MENS SIT REA –the
genesis of Crime i.e. an act does not constitute guilt
unless done with guilty intent.
Crime comprehends two elements – Physical known
as ACTUS REUS and psychological MENS REA.
Actus = An act or deed; Reus = prohibited.
Actus Reus – consequence of human act sought to be
prohibited by law – covers three elements – a willed
commission or omission, certain circumstances and
certain consequences.
R. vs. Jordan – Stabbed victim admitted for medical
treatment – administration of drug which was allergic
– victim died of that intolerant drug.
Means an evil intention or a knowledge of the
wrongfulness of the act – blameworthy condition of
mind.
Identified through Intention, Motive, Recklessness,
Negligence, knowledge etc.
Mens Rea in I.P.C. – ref. fraudulently, dishonestly,
malignantly, negligently, wantonly, voluntarily etc.
(State of Maharashtra vs. M.H.George (1965)-Sec.8 of
FERA, 1947 – Bringing of gold biscuits without
specific permission of RBI – Accused not having the
knowledge of law)
Snake Charmer’s case (Ganesh Dhule vs. state)
Principle of Strict Liability
Crime, generally, comprises of four stages –
A) Intention – Desire + knowledge
B) Preparation – Sec-122 (wage war) 126
(committing depredation on friendly
territories – S.399-Dacoity) etc.
C) Attempt – S-307, 511 etc.
D) Commission
Joint or Constructive or Group Liability.(Ss
34-39,( Post Master’s case and Indus River
Case) 120A, 121A,149,396 and 460)
The Indian Penal Code, 1860 consists of 23
chapters, 511 sections. (V-A; IX-A and XX-A
were added) The code was passed on 6th.
October, 1860, but came into effect from 1-1-
1862.
The Charter Act of1833 facilitated the
emergence of this code under the stewardship
of Lord T. B. Macaulay.
This codified statute is a substantive general
law of crimes in India, and is exhaustive in
respect of matters covered by it.
1. General Principles
Territorial Operation of the Code (Ch.1- Ss1 to5)-Intra -territorial and Extra –
territorial
General Explanations ( Ch-II)- Definitions- (Ss 6-33, 39-52A)-Joint or
Constructive or Group Liability.(Ss 34-39)
Punishments- (Ch-III Ss 53-75)
General Exceptions- (Ch-IV Ss 76-106)
2. Specific Offences- divided into-
a). Affecting the State State
b). Affecting the Common or Public weal
c). Affecting the Human Body
d). Affecting Property
e). Affecting Reputation
3. Inchoate Offences
Abetment – (Ch.V) Ss-107 to 120
Criminal Conspiracy – (Ch.V-A) Ss-120-A, 120-B
Attempts to commit offences – (Ch. XXIII) S-511.
a). Affecting the State
Offences against State – Ch.VI – Ss-121 to 130.
Offences relating Army, Navy and Air Force – Ch.VII -Ss-
131 to 140.
b). Affecting the Common or Public weal
Offences against the Public Tranquility --Ch.VIII
Ss -141 to 160. (unlawful assembly,rioting, affray)
Offences by or relating to Public Servants – Ch.IX
(Ss-161 to 165.A omitted) – Ss.166 to 171 in vogue.
Offences relating to Elections –Ch.IX-A – Ss-171.A to I
Of contempt of lawful authority of public servants – Ch.X
Ss- 172 to 190 (courts of justice, officers of revenue,
police and other public servants)
False evidence and offence against public justice –
Ch.XI-Ss-191 to 229.
Offences relating to coins and government stamps –
Ch. XII Ss-230 to 263.A
Offences relating to weights and Measurements –
Ch.XIII Ss-264 to 267.
Offences affecting the public health, safety,
conveniences, decency and morals. Ch.XIV Ss-268 to
294.A.
Offences relating to religion – Ch.XV Ss-295 to 298.
Offences relating to marriage – Ch. XX Ss-493 to 498
Cruelty by husband or his relatives Ch. XX-A. S-498.A
Of criminal breach of contracts of service – Ch. XIX S-
491 (S-490 and 492 repealed)
c). Affecting the human body
Offences affecting human body – Ch. XVI Ss.299 to
377. Homicide, Murder, Hurt, Kidnapping, Rape etc..
d). Affecting the property
Offences against the property – Ch. XVII Ss-378 to
462. Theft, Extortion, Robbery, Dacoity, Criminal
Breach of Trust, Criminal Misappropriation etc.
Offences relating to documents, property marks,
currency and Bank notes – Ch. XVIII Ss.463 to 489-E.
e). Affecting Reputation
Defamation – Ch. XXI Ss.499 to 502
Of criminal intimidation, insult and annoyance – Ch.
XXII Ss. 503 to 510
Thank You
