Law of Crimes I (IPC)
Law of Crimes I (IPC)
Law of Crimes I (IPC)
) Semester :
▪To demonstrate the ability to read the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and identify the varied
interpretations of the code. (PLO 1 a.)
▪ To identify the emerging areas of criminal jurisprudence and understand the dynamic
nature of the subject. (PLO1a.)
▪ To synthesize materials from a variety of sources and develop a better understanding
of the subject link to other branches of law. (PLO 1b.)
▪ To critically evaluate case law, theories and principle and apply legal provisions to
practical cases. (PLO 2a.)
▪ To equip the students with working knowledge and technical-know-how of law of
crimes from a therapeutic jurisprudence perspective. (PLO 4b.)
Detailed Syllabus: ( per session plan )
Unit Description Duration
1. Introduction to concepts in criminal law. 3 Hrs.
1. Meaning of a ‘crime’
2. Actus Non FacitReum Nisi Mens Sit Rea
3. Novus actus Interveniens (Causation and Act)
4. Stages of Crime
5. Mens Rea (Intention, Foresight, Negligence, Recklessness)
6. Preparation.
7. Attempt.
8. Commission (Legal distinction between Act and Omission)
Basic Reading:
1. State of Maharastra v. M. H. George AIR 1965 SC 722
2. Dudley v. Stephens [(1884) 14 Q. B. D. 173]
3. Moti Singh And Another vs State Of Uttar Pradesh on 23 January,
1963
Reference Reading:
1. Sandel, Michael J. Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? New York:
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2009.
2. HLA Hart, Law, Liberty & Morality, Stanford University Press
(1963).
Teaching Pedagogy:Group Discussion on the ethical dilemmas in
differentiating between morality and crime.
2. Territorial Application of Indian Penal Code. 3 Hrs.
A. Intra- Territorial Application of the Code
B. Extra- Territorial Application of the Code.
Basic Reading:
1) Sections 2-5 IPC.
2) Savarkar’s case [(1910) 13 B.L.R. 296]
Reference Reading:
Dr. Dharmendra Kumar Singh, ‘Constitutional Space and legislative
development in India on extra-territorial operation of law’, ILI Law Review,
Summer Issue 2018.
Teaching Pedagogy:
Inquiry based method. Students will be given problem based questions
and application of law will be expected out of them.
3. Punishment under Criminal Law 3 Hrs.
▪ Meaning and Definition of Punishment.
▪ Theories of Punishment.
▪ Kinds of Punishmentand the need for sentencing guidelines in
India.
Basic Reading:
1. Phul Singh v. State of Haryana (1980 Cri. L.J. 8)
2. Sunil Batra (II) v. Delhi Administration (1980 2 S.C.C. 488)
3. Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab (1980 2 S.C.C. 684)
Reference Reading:
Sharma, Anupama. (2016). Fines as a punishment in Indian Penal Code,
1860: A jurisprudential failure or commodification of an offense?. Journal
of Contemporary Criminal Justice, Vol 32 No 3: 243-263
Teaching Pedagogy:
Discussion based learning.
4. General Exceptions under Indian Penal Code 3 Hrs
.
▪ Mistake of Fact and Law.
▪ Act done by a child, intoxicated person or due to unsoundness of
mind.
▪ Act done out of necessity.
▪ Acts done by Consent.
▪ Communication made in good faith
▪ Act to which a person is compelled by threats
▪ Act causing slight harm (de minimis non curatlex)
Basic Reading:
1. Basdev v State of Pepsu (1956 AIR SC 488)
2. McNaughten’s case (10 CL. & F., 200)
3. Vishwanath v. State of U.P. (AIR 1960 SC 67)
4. Kumari Chandra vs State on 1 August, 2018
Reference Reading :
Math, Suresh Bada et al. “Insanity Defense: Past, Present, and Future.” Indian
journal of psychological medicine vol. 37,4 (2015): 381-7. doi:10.4103/0253-
7176.168559
Teaching Pedagogy:Case Discussion.
5. The right of private defence under Indian Penal Code (Sections 96-106) 3 Hrs.
▪ Right of private defence to Body
▪ Right of private defence to property.
Basic Reading:
1. Amjad Khan v. State AIR 1952 SC 165.
2. Kishan v. The State Of Madhya Pradesh AIR 1974 SC 244.
3. Kesho Ram v. Delhi Administration 1974 AIR 1158.
Teaching Pedagogy:Case Discussion
6. Joint Liability of Offenders under the Indian Penal Code 3 Hrs.
Basic Reading:
1. Dr. Suresh Gupta v. State of NCT (2004) 6 SCC 422
2. R. v. Ahluwalia (1993) 96 Cr App Reports 133
3. LaughanbaiDevjibhaiVasava v. The State of Gujarat, 2018 (3) SCALE
309;
4. State of MP v. Abdul Lateef 2018 (4) SCALE 441
5. KM Nanavati v. State of Maharashtra (AIR 1962 SC 605)
Reference Reading:
J Horder, ‘Re-thinking Non-Fatal Offences against the Person’ (1994) 14
OJLS 335.
Teaching Pedagogy:
Group discussion on the need for revisiting the legal framework on white
collar crimes.
14. Offences against the State 3 Hrs.
▪ Waging war against the State
▪ Sedition
Basic Reading:
Section 124A IPC
Reference Reading:
1.Mohd. Ajmal Amir Kasab v. State of Maharashtra 2012 9 SC 4
2.Kedarnath Singh v. State of Bihar AIR 1962 SC 955
Teaching Pedagogy:
Class based discussion on the misuse of sedition laws in India.
15. Offences against Public Peace Tranquility and Religion 3 Hrs.
▪ Unlawful Assembly and Rioting
▪ Promoting Enmity between Classes.
▪ Offences promoting communal hatred and insulting religious
beliefs.
Basic Reading:
1. DayaKishan v. State of Haryana AIR 2010 SC 2147
2. Dharam Pal State of UP AIR 1975 SC 1917
Teaching Pedagogy:
Case Law analysis and discussion of the contemporary scenario on hate
speech in India.
16. Offences Relating to Elections 3 Hrs.
▪ Bribery - Giving or accepting Gratification.
▪ Interference with Electoral Right.
▪ Personation at Elections.
Basic Reading:
1. Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narian AIR 1975 SC 2299
2. Ram Dial v. Sant Lal AIR 1959 SC 855
Reference Reading:
Shiv Kripal Singh v. V.V. Giri AIR 1970 SC 2093
Teaching Pedagogy:
Case law analysis.
17. Offences Affecting the Reputation 3 Hrs.
▪ Defamation.
▪ Exceptions to Defamation.
▪ Punishment for Defamation.
Reading:
1. Section 499 IPC
2. Chamanlal v. State of Punjab 1970 1 SCC 590
3. Mukund Chitnis v. Madhuri Chitnis AIR 1992 SC 1840
Reference Reading:
Narottamdas v. Patel MaganabhaiRevabha (1984) CRLJ 1790 (Guj)
Teaching Pedagogy:Class debate on decriminalization of defamation in
India.
18. Inchoate Offences 3 Hrs.
▪ Attempt to commit and offence (Section 511, IPC)
Basic Reading:
Abhayanand Mishra vs The State of Bihar AIR 1961 SC 1698
Teaching Pedagogy:
Socrates method.
19. Criminal Conspiracy 3 Hrs.
Readings:
1. (Section 120A and B, IPC)
2. Emperor v. Asgar Ali Pradhania AIR 1933 Cal 893
3. Suggested Reading:
4. State of Maharashtra v Mhd. Yakub (1980) SCR (2) 1158
Teaching Pedagogy:
Socrates Method.
20. Contemporary issues under the Criminal Justice System in India. 3 Hrs.