Guide to Criminal Law of India - Indian Penal Code, 1860

The Indian Penal Code (IPC) is a comprehensive code that outlines the nature and extent of criminal liability under the laws of India. It categorizes offences into various chapters, each dealing with specific types of crimes. Below is an outline of the chapters in the IPC and the types of offences they cover:

1. Chapter I - General Provisions (Sections 1 to 5)

   • Introduction, definition of offences, acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention, etc.

2. Chapter II - General Explanations (Sections 6 to 52)

   • General principles and exceptions that are relevant for understanding the provisions of the IPC.

3. Chapter III - Of Punishments (Sections 53 to 75)

   • Detailed description of various punishments such as fine, imprisonment, transportation, etc.

4. Chapter IV - General Exceptions (Sections 76 to 106)

   • Situations where an act, which would normally constitute an offence, is not punishable (e.g., acts done in exercise of right or public function, acts done by persons who are intoxicated, etc.).

5. Chapter V - Of Offences Against the State (Sections 107 to 126)

   • Crimes that threaten the integrity or sovereignty of India, such as waging war against the state, sedition, counterfeiting currency, etc.

6. Chapter VI - Of Offences Against Public Justice (Sections 127 to 138)

   • Offences that undermine public justice, such as bribing an official, giving or fabricating false evidence, tampering with evidence, obstructing the course of justice, etc.

7. Chapter VII - Of Offences Against Property (Sections 139 to 212)

   • Offences like criminal trespass, house-breaking, theft, robbery, dacoity, mischief, etc.

8. Chapter VIII - Of Offences Relating To The Body (Sections 220 to 263)

   • Offences against a person's body, such as assault, criminal intimidation, poisoning wells, etc.

9. Chapter IX - Of Offences Relating To Marriage (Sections 264 to 273)

   • Offences related to marriage like bigamy, rape, kidnapping or abducting a woman with intent to marry or ravish her, etc.

10. Chapter X - Of Offences Relating To The Mind (Sections 274 to 285)

    • Mental offences including criminal lunacy and attempt to commit suicide.

11. Chapter XI - Of Sexual Offences (Sections 290 to 317)

    • Offences such as rape, unnatural offences, kidnapping or inducing a woman to have sexual intercourse, etc.

12. Chapter XII - Of Dishonest And Other Criminal Mischiefs (Sections 320 to 403)

    • Offences related to cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery, etc.

13. Chapter XIII - Of Criminal Trespass (Sections 427 to 459)

    • More detailed provisions on criminal trespass.

14. Chapter XIV - Of Documents And Property Marks (Sections 460 to 489)

    • Offences related to forging documents, counterfeiting bank notes, etc.

15. Chapter XV - Of Criminal Breach of Contract Of Service (Sections 490 to 492)

    • Offences related to breaching contracts of service.

16. Chapter XVI - Of Defamation (Section 499)

    • The offence of defamation, including the specific conditions under which it is an offence.

17. Chapter XVII - Of The Criminal Breach of Contracts Of Service (Sections 490 to 498)

    • Specific provisions on the criminal breach of contracts of service, including the offence of renouncing Indian citizenship with the intention of evading punishment.

18. Chapter XVIII - Of Attempts To Commit Offences (Section 511)

    • The general doctrine of attempt, its differentia from the completed act, and punishments for attempts.

The IPC is structured to cover a wide range of human conduct that is deemed harmful or criminal. Each chapter builds upon the principles and definitions established in earlier chapters, culminating in detailed descriptions of specific offences and their corresponding punishments. The code has evolved over time to address modern concerns while maintaining its core principles.