HomeSectionsSection 376: Punishment for...

Section 376: Punishment for rape

(1) Whoever, except in the cases provided for in sub-section (2), commits rape, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than ten years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.

(2) Whoever,—
(a) being a police officer, commits rape— (i) within the limits of the police station to which such police officer is appointed; or (ii) in the premises of any station house; or (iii) on a woman in such police officer’s custody or in the custody of a police officer subordinate to such police officer; or

(b) being a public servant, commits rape on a woman in such public servant’s custody or in the custody of a public servant subordinate to such public servant; or

(c) being a member of the armed forces deployed in an area by the Central or a State Government commits rape in such area; or

(d) being on the management or on the staff of a jail, remand home or other place of custody established by or under any law for the time being in force or of a women’s or children’s institution, commits rape on any inmate of such jail, remand home, place or institution; or

(e) being on the management or on the staff of a hospital, commits rape on a woman in that hospital; or

(f) being a relative, guardian or teacher of, or a person in a position of trust or authority towards the woman, commits rape on such woman; or

(g) commits rape during communal or sectarian violence; or

(h) commits rape on a woman knowing her to be pregnant; or


* * * * * (j) commits rape, on a woman incapable of giving consent; or

(k) being in a position of control or dominance over a woman, commits rape on such woman; or

(l) commits rape on a woman suffering from mental or physical disability; or

(m) while committing rape causes grievous bodily harm or maims or disfigures or endangers the life of a woman; or

(n) commits rape repeatedly on the same woman,

shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person’s natural life, and shall also be liable to fine.

Explanation.— For the purposes of this sub-section,—

(a) “armed forces” means the naval, military and air forces and includes any member of the Armed Forces constituted under any law for the time being in force, including the paramilitary forces and any auxiliary forces that are under the control of the Central Government or the State Government;

(b) “hospital” means the precincts of the hospital and includes the precincts of any institution for the reception and treatment of persons during convalescence or of persons requiring medical attention or rehabilitation;

(c) “police officer” shall have the same meaning as assigned to the expression “police” under the Police Act, 1861 (5 of 1861);

(d) “women’s or children’s institution” means an institution, whether called an orphanage or a home for neglected women or children or a widow’s home or an institution called by any other name, which is established and maintained for the reception and care of women or children.

(3) Whoever, commits rape on a woman under sixteen years of age shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than twenty years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person’s natural life, and shall also be liable to fine:

Provided that such fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses and rehabilitation of the victim:

Provided further that any fine imposed under this sub-section shall be paid to the victim.

- A word from our sponsors -

Most Popular

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

More from Author

Definition and Nature of Crime

Definition of Crime Crime can be defined as an act or omission...

Constituents Elements of Crime

The Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines a crime as an act...

Stages of Crime

The various phases or processes that take place between having the...

Dowry Death

The offence of dowry death falls under Section 304B of the...

- A word from our sponsors -

Read Now

Definition and Nature of Crime

Definition of Crime Crime can be defined as an act or omission that is prohibited by law and is punishable by the state. It is an offense against society and its laws, and it is considered harmful to the community as a whole. Nature of Crime The nature of...

Constituents Elements of Crime

The Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines a crime as an act or omission that is punishable under the law. The following are the essential elements that must be present for an act to be considered a crime under the IPC: Actus reus: This is the Latin term for...

Stages of Crime

The various phases or processes that take place between having the idea to commit a crime and actually carrying it out are referred to as the stages of a crime. Typical Stages of a Crime Intent: The first stage of a crime is the intent to commit the offense....

Dowry Death

The offence of dowry death falls under Section 304B of the IPC, which is a cognizable and non-bailable offence. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) has a specific offense known as "dowry death" that refers to a woman dying from a burn or other physical injury within seven years...

Brief of Culpable Homicide and Murder

Under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), culpable homicide and murder are two distinct offenses with different degrees of severity. Culpable Homicide Definition: According to section 299 of the IPC, culpable homicide refers to any action that results in the death of a person with the intent to do so...

Attempt to Murder

Meaning of Attempt to Murder Attempt to Murder is an offence under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that is committed when a person tries to cause the death of another person, but the attempt fails for some reason. The offense is defined under Section 307 of the IPC. Essential...

Attempt and Abetment to Suicide

Attempt and Abetment to Suicide are two distinct offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that deal with the act of encouraging or assisting someone to commit suicide. Both of these offenses are punishable under Section 309 and Section 306 of the IPC, respectively. Attempt to Suicide Meaning of...

Hurt and Grievous Hurt

Hurt and Grievous Hurt are two offenses under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that deal with causing bodily harm to another person. These offenses are defined under Sections 319 and 320 of the IPC, respectively. Hurt Hurt is defined under Section 319 of the IPC as any harm that...

Wrongful Restraint and Wrongful Confinement

The Indian Penal Code (IPC) has two distinct offenses that deal with restricting another person's freedom of movement: Wrongful Restraint and Wrongful Confinement. Sections 339 and 340 of the IPC, respectively, specify each of these offenses. Wrongful Restraint According to Section 339 of the IPC, voluntarily restricting someone's freedom...

Criminal Force and Assault

Criminal Force and Assault are two distinct offences that deal with using physical force or violence against another person and are specified by the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Sections 350 and 351, respectively, of the IPC define each of these offences. Criminal Force According to Section 350 of the...

Kidnapping and Abduction

Under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), kidnapping and abduction are two distinct offenses that deal with the illegal confinement of another person. Sections 359 and 363 of the IPC, respectively, specify each of these offences. Kidnapping According to Section 359 of the IPC, kidnapping is the act of taking or...

Sexual Offences

The Indian Penal Code (IPC), which carries legal penalties, defines several sexual offences. The following are some of the most well-known sexual offences covered by the IPC: Rape (Section 375): Sexual activity that takes place without a woman's consent is referred to as rape. The punishment for rape...