IPC Section 337: Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others
Whoever causes hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or the personal safety of others, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.
IPC Section 337: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 337 of the Indian Penal Code deals with the offence of “causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others.” This section applies when an individual causes hurt to another person by acting rashly or negligently to endanger human life or the personal safety of others. The section emphasizes the consequences of reckless or negligent actions that result in bodily injury.
Key elements of this section include:
- Rash or Negligent Act: The person must act rashly (reckless disregard for safety) or negligently (failure to exercise reasonable care).
- Causing Hurt: The act must result in causing hurt, which involves bodily pain, disease, or infirmity to another person.
Is IPC Section 337 Bailable?
IPC Section 337 is a bailable offence. Depending on the specifics of the case and the authorities’ discretion, individuals charged under this section can obtain bail from the police station or through the court.
IPC Section 337 Punishment
The Punishment under IPC Section 337 for causing hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety includes:
- Imprisonment for a term that may extend to six months,
- Or with a fine that may extend to five hundred rupees,
- Or with both.
The Punishment is relatively moderate, reflecting the focus on recklessness or negligence leading to hurt rather than intentional harm.
Example of IPC Section 337
A real-life example of IPC Section 337 occurred when a driver, ignoring traffic signals, sped through a red light and caused an accident, injuring a pedestrian. The driver’s reckless behaviour resulted in the pedestrian suffering bruises and a fractured arm. The driver was charged under IPC Section 337 for causing hurt by an act endangering life and personal safety. This case underscored the importance of adhering to traffic laws to ensure public safety and the legal consequences of failing.
