Indian Penal Code: What is the Indian Penal Code (IPC)?

We often come across the term Indian Penal Code (IPC) in newspapers or television. However, do we know what exactly the Indian Penal Code is and how it works? Indian Penal Code forms the base of the Indian criminal justice system. It is a document that has been formulated to keep a check on all criminal activities.

Indian Penal Code: Origin and Applicability

IPC originated during the British colonial rule in India. It is a part of the British legislation dating to 1860. The first draft of IPC was developed in 1860 by the first law commission chaired by Lord Macaulay. Since then, it has undergone various reforms to overcome various flaws and faults and for ensuring improved delivery of justice. 

IPC is applicable to the whole of India, except for the state of Jammu and Kashmir and for criminal offences committed by the armed forces.

Few definitions under the IPC are:

• Person: Includes any Company or Association or body of persons, whether incorporated or not.
• Public: Includes any class of the public or any community.
• Court of Justice: Denotes a Judge who is empowered by law to act judicially alone, or a body of Judges which is empowered by law to act judicially as a body, when such Judge or body of Judges is acting judicially.

The IPC promotes impartial and unbiased justice delivery and it does not give any special privileges or relaxation to any special person empowered with any special powers. All Indian citizens are treated equally under the IPC. This encourages the common people to respect and believe in the Indian judiciary system.

Nevertheless, the IPC has undergone many tests and scrutiny at various instances, regardless of the fact that law makers try their best to ensure prevalence of justice.