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Section 97 — Right of private defence of the body and of property

As in force on 2 January 2021.

Timeline 3 versions
  1. 30 March 1987 Enacted
  2. 1 January 2020 Act 15 of 2019
  3. 2 January 2021 You are here
  4. 17 August 2026 Latest
97.Right of private defence of the body and of property

Every person has a right, subject to the restrictions contained in sections 98 and 106A, to defend —

(a)his own body, and the body of any other person, against any offence affecting the human body;

(b)the property, whether movable or immovable, of himself or of any other person, against any act which is an offence falling under the definition of theft, robbery, mischief or criminal trespass, or which is an attempt to commit theft, robbery, mischief or criminal trespass.

[Indian PC 1860, s. 97]