Grievous hurt, section 320 IPC

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Grievous Hurt: Section 320 IPC

Forensic Medicine: Legal Definition & Medico-Legal Criteria

The Eight Designated Hurts

Under Section 320 of the Indian Penal Code, only the following eight categories of hurt are designated as “Grievous”:

  1. Emasculation.
  2. Permanent privation of the sight of either eye.
  3. Permanent privation of the hearing of either ear.
  4. Privation of any member or joint.
  5. Destruction or permanent impairment of the powers of any member or joint.
  6. Permanent disfiguration of the head or face.
  7. Fracture or dislocation of a bone or tooth.
  8. Any hurt which endangers life or which causes the sufferer to be, during the space of twenty days, in severe bodily pain, or unable to follow his ordinary pursuits.

High-Yield Forensic Pearls

  • Legal vs. Medical: “Grievous hurt” is a strictly legal term. A physician must describe the nature of the injury (e.g., “fracture of the radius”) rather than declaring it “grievous” in a report, as the final classification is a judicial determination.
  • The “20-Day” Rule: This is a frequent point of contention in court. The injury itself does not need to last 20 days; it is the inability to follow ordinary pursuits or the presence of severe bodily pain that must last for that duration.
  • Fractures: Any fracture, even a hairline fracture, is considered grievous hurt under Section 320.
  • Disfiguration: Disfiguration is distinct from disfigurement; it refers to a permanent change that impairs the appearance, not just a temporary injury.