Sec 95 of the Indian Penal Code is an exception which states that, "Nothing is an offence by reason that it causes, or that it is intended to cause, or that it is known to be likely to cause, any harm, if that harm is so slight that no person of ordinary sense and temper would complain of such harm." What is meant by "slight harm"? What needs to be considered in order to judge whether the harm is "slight" or not? Does it depend merely on the physical injury caused? Does it include any other factors too?

As per Sec 36 of Indian Contract Act, 1872, Agreements contingent on impossible event are void. The Act states that "Contingent agreements to do or not to do anything, if an impossible event happens, are void, whether the impossibility of the event is known or not to the parties to the agreement at the time when it is made." Ques: Why does section 36 of ICA,1872 have to be expressed specifically under the contingent agreement when it is a matter of void ab initio? 

As a general rule under the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, appeals lie only in limited cases, as per Sec 372. Appeals in criminal cases may be preferred by the Prosecution. However, Sec 372 contains a proviso that says "victim shall have a right to prefer an appeal." Ques: Are there any other provisions under the CrPC that allow for appeal to be pressed by anyone other than the Prosecution? If so, how are they different from the proviso to Sec 372?  

Section 2(45) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 defines ‘Petty offence’ as offences for which the maximum punishment provided under any law including the IPC, is imprisonment up to 3 years. Section 2(54) of the same Act defines ‘Serious Offence’ as offences for which punishment under any law is imprisonment between 3 to 7 years. Section 2(33) defines ‘Heinous offence’ as offences for which the minimum punishment under any law is imprisonment for 7 years or more. Ques: What about those offences where the minimum sentence is less than 7 years, or there is no minimum sentence prescribed but the maximum sentence is more than 7 years such as Section 121A, 122 of IPC, offences relating to counterfeiting of currency, abetment to suicide of child or innocent person and many others ? Which category (petty, serious or heinous) will these offences fall under?

Sec 93 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 provides the general defense to communications made under good faith. It means that the bona fide intention of the communicator plays a significant role in determining good faith. Ques: What is the threshold of knowledge and intention required to presume that communication has been made in "good faith"? 

We gradually induce the habit of observation and questioning by beginning with a simple exercise pertaining to the Indian Contract Act, 1872. Indian Contract Act is one of the basic statutes that is studied in the first few semesters of the law school. It is ever-relevant in the practice of the law. Ques: What is the difference between consideration and reciprocal promise? Is every consideration a reciprocal promise, or vice-versa? Background: Sec 2(d) defines 'Consideration' as - "When, at the desire of the promisor, the promisee or any other person has done or abstained from doing, or does or abstains from doing, or promises to do or to abstain from doing, something, such act or abstinence or promise is called a consideration for the promise." Sec 2 (f) defines 'Reciprocal Promises' as - "Promises which form the consideration or part of the consideration for each other, are called reciprocal promises"    

Sec 498A of Indian Penal Code, 1860 says “Whoever, being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.” Ques: What is the role of Sec 498A in the cases of divorce? Can a complaint under this section be filed after the divorce?

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, provides two powers to police officers on receiving a complaint  - to conduct a preliminary enquiry and/or to file a first information report. Ques: What is the difference between preliminary enquiry and FIR? 

Common intention has been defined under Sec 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Ques: Does the element of common intention require the existence of 'same intention' or 'similar intention'? What is the liability of those who do not share the 'same intention'?   

The Indian Evidence Act contains many provisions dedicated to the admissibility and relevance of signs, seals, official documents, judgments, acts and laws of the United Kingdom and other commonwealth countries.  Ques: Why were these considered relevant in Indian courts? 

The Indian Contract Act considers contingent contracts as valid. It enlists certain situations where such contracts become enforceable. Ques: Whether contracts of Insurance are contingent contracts? When do they become enforceable? 

Sec 81 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 explains the general exception of necessity. The section says, "Nothing is an offence merely by reason of its being done with the knowledge that it is likely to cause harm, if it be done without any criminal intention to cause harm, and in good faith for the purpose of preventing or avoiding other harm to person or property." There are two key-words which point towards the mental state of the actor, under this provision - "knowledge" and "intention". Clearly, the lawmakers used these two distinct terms to emphasize upon the degree of variation in the mental state. Ques: What is the difference between "knowledge" and "intention" as per Sec 81 of IPC?     

Sec 82 of the Indian Penal Code states that nothing is an offence done by a child less than seven years in age.  Ques: If a child below seven years is convinced to commit a crime by an adult, and the child commits the crime despite being aware of the wrongfulness of his conduct, what will be the criminal liability of such a child? What will be the liability of the perpetrator that uses the child as an instrument to commit the crime? 

Sec 76 and Sec 79 deal with mistakes of fact under General Exceptions laid down by the Indian Penal Code. The difference between the section is highlighted by the usage of the phrases "bound by law" and "justified by law". Ques: What is the distinction between Sec 76 and 79 of the IPC?

Under the Muslim personal law, a Muslim man is allowed to have more than one wives. A wife, once divorced, may be taken back into marriage by her husband after performing the ritual of Nikah Halala. Nikah Halala involves the cohabitation between the said wife and another man. The practice of indulging in a sexual act with the wife of another constitutes adultery. Prior to 2018, it was a punishable offence under the Indian Penal Code. Ques: Whether Nikah Halala constitutes an act along the lines of adultery? Why, or Why not? 

Section 191 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 states that “Whoever, being legally bound by an oath or by an express provision of law to state the truth or being bound by law to make a declaration upon any subject, makes any statement which is false, and which he either knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true, is said to give false evidence.” Ques: What is the requirement of enacting this provision? How is a case of perjury identified, proved and brought to justice?  

As per Sec 99 of Indian Penal Code 1860, There is no right of private defence against an act which does not reasonably cause the apprehension of death or of grievous hurt, if done, or attempted to be done. Ques: As per Sec 99 of IPC 1860, There is no right of private defence against an act which does not reasonably cause the apprehension of death or of grievous hurt, if done, or attempted to be done.

The criminal law is meant to regulate the conduct of the people within the society and ensure that peace and order are maintained. The law is updated from time to time to meet the demands of the evolving society.  One of the most important criminal law amendments has been the Criminal Law Amendment brought about in 2013. Ques:  Why was Section 166A of Indian Penal Code, 1860 was added by 2013 Amendment Act? What mischief does it seek to cure? 

The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 provides references regarding admissibility and relevance of facts and opinions when a question pertaining to the existence of a right or custom is being considered by the Court. Rights and customs are discussed under the Act in three different provisions, viz., Sec 13, Sec 32 and Sec 48. Ques: What is the relationship between Sec 48, Sec 13 and Sec 32 of the Indian Evidence Act? Are they different in any respect? 

Section 498 –A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 states that “Whoever, being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such woman to cruelty shall be pun­ished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.” Ques: What is the aftermath/ implications of a case filed under Sec 498-A of the IPC for the victim and the offender? 

Sec 151 of the Indian Contract Act explains that "bailee is bound to take as much care of the goods bailed to him as a man of ordinary prudence". Ques: Is the Bailee liable for the loss of goods even if he takes reasonable care of the goods? What about when he agrees to take special care of goods? 

While reading Section 84 of the Indian Penal Code which talks about unsoundness of mind, there are mentions of incapability of knowing the nature of the act. Ques: Does that mean that unsound person is one who is acquainted with the nature, but not the wrongfulness of the act, and hence, is not guilty by the law?

Unsoundness of mind, commonly referred to as insanity, is a general defense under Sec 84 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. However, the Statute nowhere defines these terms. Ques: Does insanity always apply to mentally ill persons?