Section 118 BNS: Voluntarily Causing Hurt or Grievous Hurt by Dangerous Weapons or Means
Section 118 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) punishes voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt through dangerous weapons or specified dangerous means. The provision distinguishes ordinary hurt under sub-section (1) from grievous hurt under sub-section (2), with substantially different punishments.
Text and meaning of Section 118 BNS
Section 118(1): Whoever, except in the case provided for by sub-section (1) of section 122, voluntarily causes hurt by means of any instrument for shooting, stabbing or cutting, or any instrument which, used as a weapon of offence, is likely to cause death, or by means of fire or any heated substance, or by means of any poison or any corrosive substance, or by means of any explosive substance, or by means of any substance which it is deleterious to the human body to inhale, to swallow, or to receive into the blood, or by means of any animal, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to twenty thousand rupees, or with both.
Section 118(2): Whoever, except in the case provided for by sub-section (2) of section 122, voluntarily causes grievous hurt by any means referred to in sub-section (1), shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
What Section 118 covers
The section applies where hurt is voluntarily caused by one of the dangerous weapons or means specifically listed in the provision. These include instruments for shooting, stabbing or cutting; weapons likely to cause death when used as weapons of offence; fire or heated substances; poison or corrosive substances; explosive substances; harmful substances introduced by inhalation, swallowing or into the blood; and animals.
Difference between Section 118(1) and Section 118(2)
| Provision | Nature of injury | Dangerous means | Punishment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 118(1) | Hurt | Any weapon or means specified in Section 118(1) | Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine up to Rs. 20,000, or both |
| Section 118(2) | Grievous hurt | Any weapon or means specified in Section 118(1) | Life imprisonment, or imprisonment from 1 year up to 10 years, and fine |
Meaning of "hurt" under Section 114 BNS
Section 114 BNS defines hurt. In substance, a person causes hurt when he causes bodily pain, disease or infirmity to another person. Section 118(1) therefore applies when such hurt is voluntarily caused through one of the dangerous weapons or means listed in Section 118.
Meaning of "grievous hurt" under Section 116 BNS
Section 116 BNS specifies the kinds of injury that amount to grievous hurt. These include emasculation; permanent deprivation of sight or hearing; deprivation or permanent impairment of a member or joint; permanent disfiguration of the head or face; fracture or dislocation of a bone or tooth; and hurt which endangers life or causes the victim to be in severe bodily pain or unable to follow ordinary pursuits for fifteen days.
Accordingly, Section 118(2) applies only where the resulting injury satisfies the statutory concept of grievous hurt and the injury is caused by a dangerous weapon or means listed in Section 118(1).
Essential ingredients of an offence under Section 118 BNS
- The accused must voluntarily cause hurt or grievous hurt.
- The injury must be caused by one of the weapons, instruments, substances, means or animals specified in Section 118(1).
- For Section 118(2), the injury must qualify as grievous hurt under Section 116 BNS.
- The statutory exceptions connected with Section 122(1) or Section 122(2), as applicable, must be considered.
Exception referring to Section 122 BNS
Section 118 expressly excludes cases covered by the corresponding provisions of Section 122 BNS. Section 118(1) refers to Section 122(1), while Section 118(2) refers to Section 122(2). The applicability of that exception depends on whether the statutory requirements concerning grave and sudden provocation are satisfied on the facts of the case.
Examples of dangerous weapons or means under Section 118
The wording of Section 118 is broad and focuses on the means used to cause the injury. A shooting weapon, stabbing or cutting instrument, fire, heated substance, poison, corrosive substance, explosive substance, harmful inhaled or swallowed material, material introduced into the blood, or an animal may bring the act within the section when the remaining statutory requirements are present.
Section 118 and neighbouring BNS provisions
Section 118 should be read with the surrounding provisions relating to hurt. Section 115 BNS deals with voluntarily causing hurt, Section 116 BNS defines grievous hurt, and Section 117 BNS deals with voluntarily causing grievous hurt. Section 118 specifically addresses hurt or grievous hurt caused by dangerous weapons or means.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum punishment under Section 118(1) BNS?
The maximum imprisonment is three years. The court may instead impose a fine up to Rs. 20,000, or may impose both imprisonment and fine.
Can Section 118(2) BNS result in life imprisonment?
Yes. For voluntarily causing grievous hurt by a dangerous weapon or means specified in Section 118(1), Section 118(2) permits imprisonment for life. The alternative term sentence is not less than one year and may extend to ten years, together with fine.
Does every injury caused with a weapon amount to grievous hurt?
No. The nature of the resulting injury must independently satisfy the statutory definition of grievous hurt under Section 116 for Section 118(2) to apply. Where the injury amounts only to hurt, Section 118(1) may apply if its other requirements are met.
Last reviewed: 8 September 2026.