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Injury, an Actionable Wrong, is Defined as Harm Illegally Caused Versus act of a Licensed Medical Practitioner

Vivekanshu Verma, Shri Gopal Kabra

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Indian Journal of Legal Medicine 4(2):p 145-156, July -Dec 2025. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijlm.2348.9987.4224.5

How Cite This Article:

Verma V, Kabra SG. Injury, an actionable wrong, is defined as harm illegally caused versus act of a Licensed Medical Practitioner. Indi J of Legal Medi. 2025;6(2):145-56.

Timeline

Received : July 17, 2025         Accepted : October 06, 2025          Published : December 30, 2025

Abstract

Background: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) redefines “injury” and “illegal” acts, creating ambiguity in medical negligence jurisprudence. This article examines whether harm caused by licensed physicians during treatment constitutes “illegally caused injury” under BNS. Methods: Doctrinal analysis of BNS Sections 2(14), 2(15), and 26; comparative review of IPC provisions, common law, and landmark case laws. Results: Liability hinges on breach of statutory duty (BNS 2(15), not mere harm. Deficient consent invalidates treatment legality but requires causal harm for negligence claims. Consumer law frames consent as contractual autonomy. Conclusion: BNS prioritizes legality of conduct over outcome. Harmonizing statutory “good faith” (Sec 26) with material risk disclosure prevents liability. The article underscores the classic legal dilemma between wrongful harm and privileged action under statutory license.

References

  • 1.   Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, §2(14) (2023).
  • 2.   Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, §2(15) (2023).
  • 3.   Indian Penal Code, §319 (1860).
  • 4.   Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, §26 (2023).
  • 5.   Samira Kohli v. Dr. Prabha Manchanda AIR 2008 SC 1385.
  • 6.   Jacob Mathew v. State of Punjab (2005) 6 SCC 1.
  • 7.   Montgomery v. Lanarkshire Health Board [2015] UKSC 11.
  • 8.   Dr. Harish Kumar v. State of NCT Delhi. Crl. Rev. P. 762/2022 (Delhi High Court 2022).
  • 9.   Martin F. D’Souza v. Mohd. Ishfaq, (2009) 3 SCC 1.
  • 10.  

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Cite this article

Verma V, Kabra SG. Injury, an actionable wrong, is defined as harm illegally caused versus act of a Licensed Medical Practitioner. Indi J of Legal Medi. 2025;6(2):145-56.

Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.

Received Accepted Published
July 17, 2025 October 06, 2025 December 30, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijlm.2348.9987.4224.5

Keywords

Medical NegligenceBharatiya Nyaya SanhitaInformed ConsentDuty of CareConsumer Protection ActIllegally Caused InjuryGood Faith

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Timeline

Received July 17, 2025
Accepted October 06, 2025
Published December 30, 2025

licence

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


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