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.
Section history
Section 80 — Accident in the doing of a lawful act
As in force on 1 October 2017.
Timeline 5 versions
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.
[Indian PC 1860, s. 80]