Section 66 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
Section 66 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 prescribes stringent penalties for individuals who commit specific offenses under Section 64 and, during the commission of such offenses, cause the death of a woman or leave her in a persistent vegetative state.(
📜 Text of Section 66
Punishment for causing death or resulting in persistent vegetative state of victim
"Whoever, commits an offence punishable under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 64 and in the course of such commission inflicts an injury which causes the death of the woman or causes the woman to be in a persistent vegetative state, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than twenty years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person’s natural life, or with death.")
⚖️ Key Provisions
Applicability: This section applies to offenses under Section 64(1) and Section 64(2) of the BNS, 2023
Punishments:
Rigorous Imprisonment: A minimum term of 20 years, extendable to life imprisonment.
Life Imprisonment: Imprisonment for the remainder of the offender's natural life.
Death Penalty: Applicable in cases where the offense results in the death of the woman.
🧠 Explanation
Section 66 of the BNS, 2023, addresses severe crimes where the victim, a woman, suffers life-altering consequences due to the offense. The section emphasizes the gravity of such offenses by imposing the most stringent penalties, including life imprisonment and the death penalty. This provision underscores the legal system's commitment to deterring heinous crimes and delivering justice for victims.
🔍 Comparison with IPC
Section 66 of the BNS, 2023, aligns with the provisions of Section 376A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with punishment for causing death or a persistent vegetative state of the victim during the commission of rape. However, the BNS introduces more specific language and classifications to address contemporary legal challenges.
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