IPC Section 15
🔹 IPC Section 15 – Definition of “Court of Justice”
Text of the Section:
“The words ‘Court of Justice’ denote any person or body of persons, whether appointed or established by law, or exercising by authority of law, judicial functions, and whether they exercise those functions at a place within or without India.”
🔍 Explanation:
Section 15 defines what is meant by a “Court of Justice” for the purposes of the IPC.
✅ In simpler terms:
A Court of Justice means:
Any individual or group of people who perform judicial functions.
They may be appointed or established by law—like regular courts (e.g., District Courts, High Courts).
Or they may be people who exercise judicial functions by the authority of law, even if they are not formal courts.
These judicial functions can be exercised within India or outside India.
📄 Breaking it down:
Judicial functions:
A court is essentially a place or a person that decides on disputes between parties, enforces laws, and delivers justice.
Judicial functions include hearing evidence, interpreting laws, and making decisions that are binding.
Appointed or established by law:
This means courts created by statutes or the Constitution of India, such as the Supreme Court, High Courts, and subordinate courts.
Also includes tribunals or quasi-judicial bodies set up by law.
Exercising by authority of law:
Even bodies or persons not formally courts but authorized to adjudicate certain matters.
For example, arbitrators, certain administrative tribunals, or international courts.
Within or without India:
The section makes it clear that even courts or judicial authorities outside India can be “Courts of Justice” under IPC for certain purposes.
⚖️ Why is this important?
This definition is used in several parts of the IPC where the term “Court of Justice” appears.
For instance, in cases of giving false evidence, obstructing justice, contempt of court, or forgery relating to court documents.
It helps clarify which authorities or bodies the law refers to when it talks about “Court of Justice.”
This means the IPC's reach can extend to acts connected to courts outside India in some contexts.
🔐 Key takeaway:
Section 15 of the IPC broadly defines “Court of Justice” to include any legally authorized judicial authority—whether formal or informal, inside or outside India—that performs judicial functions. This helps the law apply uniformly to all recognized judicial bodies.
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