Explained: What is the meaning of Culpable Homicide under Indian Penal Code?

Bollywood Actor Salman Khan has been charged with Culpable Homicide in the 2002 Hit and Run Case. Many wonder what Culpable Homicide is.

Culpable homicide literally means the illegal killing of a person either with or without an intention to kill depending upon how a country has defined the offence. The offences include causing death whether by intention or not.

However its scope varies from country to country where it is used. Generally, Culpable Homicide is part of penal codes in countries ruled by Britain.

According to Indian Penal Code, “Culpable homicide” is an offence under §299, defined as “Whoever causes death by doing an act with the intention of causing death, or with the intention of causing such bodily injury as is likely to cause death, or with the knowledge that he is likely by such act to cause death, commits the offence of culpable homicide.”

“Culpable homicide not amounting to murder” is an offence under §304 of the Indian Penal Code. It applies to an event where the death is intentional but does not come within the IPC definition of “murder”. It is a non bailable charge.