Every person shall be liable to punishment under this Code and not otherwise for every act or omission contrary to the provisions thereof, of which he shall be guilty within India.
IPC Section 2: Simplified Explanation
Section 2 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with punishing offences committed within India. Let’s break down the key points of this section:
- Liability to Punishment: According to this section, every person who commits an offence within the territory of India is liable to punishment under the Indian Penal Code. This means that individuals who violate the provisions of the IPC by committing acts or omissions that constitute criminal offences will be subject to punishment as prescribed by the law.
- Scope: This section emphasizes that individuals can only be punished under the IPC for acts or omissions that are contrary to its provisions and that occur within India’s geographical boundaries. In other words, the IPC applies to offences committed within India’s territorial jurisdiction.
- No Other Basis for Punishment: This section establishes that punishment for offences under the IPC can only be imposed based on its provisions. This means that individuals cannot be punished under the IPC for acts or omissions that are not specifically covered by its provisions.
- Principle of Territoriality: The principle of territoriality is fundamental here. It asserts that a particular territory’s laws apply within that territory’s boundaries. Therefore, the Indian Penal Code applies to offences committed within India and provides the framework for defining, prosecuting, and punishing such offences.
In essence, Section 2 of the IPC clarifies the basis for imposing punishment under the code, emphasizing that individuals can only be punished for offences committed within the territory of India and by the provisions of the IPC. This section ensures clarity and consistency in applying criminal law within the country.
