Indian Penal Code: Chapters, Sections and Classification

The Indian Penal Code or the IPC was established in 1860 during British rule. The code was effective from January 1, 1862, and applied to India except the princely states. After the Independence, The Government of India adopted IPC as India's official criminal code. This code is applied to Indian citizens and defines crimes and provides punishments for almost all kinds of criminal wrongs. The IPC sections and chapters have been introduced for distinct crimes. The Indian Penal Code Chapters, Sections and Classification will help individuals who are aspiring to enter into the law field and wondering how to become lawyers. 

There has been a change in one of the codes of IPC. On August 11, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, was presented in the Lok Sabha and it replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. This code, however, outlines prosecution, arrest and bail processes for offences under various acts, including the Indian Penal Code, of 1860.

This article contains the Indian Penal Code Chapters, Sections and Classification that law aspirants should have an idea about. The IPC sections list has been provided here so that aspirants can go through and understand the classification. 

History of the Indian Penal Code

The Indian Penal Code originated during the British rule in India and it was drafted by the East India Company. Before drafting the Indian Penal Code, the Mohammedan law was in effect in India and the Mohammedan criminal law was applied to both Hindus and Muslims. The initial Indian Penal Code draft was prepared by the First Law Commission, chaired by Thomas Babington Macaulay. The draft was, however, based on the simple codification of the law of England and borrowed elements from the Napoleonic Code and Louisiana Civil Code of 1825. The first draft of IPC was introduced before the Governor General in 1837. Necessary amendments and revisions had to be made which took two more decades. The entire draft of the Indian Penal Code was completed in 1850 and presented before the Legislative Council in 1856. It was still delayed due to the Indian Revolt of 1857. The Indian Penal Code came into action on January 1, 1860, after it went through revisions and amendments by Barnes Peacock who would go on to serve as the first Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. By going through the Indian Penal Code Chapters, Sections and Classification, the history will be clear. 

Structure of the Indian Penal Code

There are 511 and 23 sections and chapters in the Indian Penal Code respectively. Find here the Indian Penal Code Chapters, Sections and Classification in detail:

Significance of the Indian Penal Code

A single legislature for the entire country was established by the Charter Act of 1833 to achieve uniformity of laws and judicial procedures throughout British India. The Indian Penal Code Chapters, Sections and Classification have some significance that aspiring law candidates should be aware of. The importance of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been provided here:

• It is the main criminal code of India and the individual offence has been well defined, providing all of the required details.
• The code defines the crime and the punishments for committing such a crime.
• IPC serves as a reference guide for the decision-making rules and punishment in cases of fraudulent activity or misconduct.
• This document focuses on all of the major offences that are prevalent in society.
• It contains relevant criminal violations dealing with crimes against the state, public offences, armed forces offences, kidnapping, rape, murder, etc.
• The code covers offences related to religion and property, marriage offences, cruelty from husbands or relatives, defamation, and many more.
• The introduction chapter of IPC states that the provisions of the Penal Code apply to offences committed by an Indian citizen living outside or beyond India and a person on any ship or aircraft registered in India, regardless of location.
• There are 5 types of punishments in the IPC (Sections 53 to 75 of the IPC in Chapter III): death, life imprisonment, general imprisonment, forfeiture of property, and fine.
• Apart from the criminal laws of the Indian Penal Code of 1860, the Central and State Legislations have passed several laws that are a part of India’s penal code to address particular issues such as the Information Technology Act, Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act, Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indecent Representation of Women Act, etc.

Fundamental Rights of the Constitution of India

Discussed above are the Indian Penal Code Chapters, Sections and Classification which are important for law aspirants. Fundamental rights of the Indian constitution are the basic rights provided by the constitution to the citizens of India. The 6 Fundamental Rights of the Constitution of India are the Right to Equality, the Right to freedom, the Right against exploitation, the Right to freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights and the Right to Constitutional Remedies. 

Right to Equality: Article 14 to Article 18

• Article 14 - Equality before the law
• Article 15 - Prohibition of discrimination of individuals on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth
• Article 16 - Equality of opportunity to individuals in matters of public employment
• Article 17 - Abolition of untouchability
• Article 18 - Abolition of titles

Right to Freedom: Article 19 to Article 22

• Six rights are guaranteed to all the citizens in Article 19 of the Constitution of India.

1. Right to freedom of speech and expression.
2. Right to assemble peacefully and without arms.
3. Right to form associations or unions.
4. Right to move freely throughout the territory of India.
5. Right to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India.
6. Right to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade, and business.

• Article 20 - Protection in respect of conviction for offences.
• Article 21 - Protection of life and personal liberty.
• Article 21A - Right to education
• Article 22 - Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases.

Right Against Exploitation: Article 23 and Article 24

• Article 23 - Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour.
• Article 24 - Prohibition of employment of children in factories and mines under the age of 14.

Right to Freedom of Religion: Article 25 to Article 28

• Article 25 - Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
• Article 26 - Freedom to manage religious affairs.
• Article 27- Freedom to pay taxes for the promotion of any particular religion.
• Article 28 - Freedom from attending religious instruction.

Cultural and Educational Rights: Article 29 and Article 30

• Article 29 - Protection of interest of minorities.
• Article 30 - Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.
• Article 32 - Remedies for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.

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Criticism Related to Indian Penal Code

The Indian Penal Code was introduced by the British Government in 1860 which means it is a 164-year official criminal code of India. The code was, however, not completely amended since it was introduced. Indian Penal Code Chapters, Sections and Classification have some objections as well. Some of the major criticisms related to the Indian Penal Code are:

• Some of the sections of the Indian Penal Code like Section 153A, Section 153B, Section 295A and Section 505 promote enmity in society which is a criminal offence. The criticisms towards these sections are increasing as they are misused for creative, literary, and educational work.
• The use and misuse of Sedition Law (Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code) is from the colonial era, which is not fit for today’s Indian democracy.
• The argument for abolishing Section 295A, which was added to the law in 1927, is that blasphemy is a crime that has no place in the Indian liberal democracy.
• Another criticism of the Indian Penal Code is the similarity of Section 149 IPC (unlawful assembly) with Fundamental Rights.
• Furthermore, there are other serious offences listed in the Indian Penal Code that do not have appropriate punishments, resulting in injustice.

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