Section 18 - Accident in doing a lawful act - Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Accident in doing a lawful act. 18 . 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. 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.