Bihar Judicial Service (BPSC J) Criminal Law (IPC, CrPC, Evidence) Syllabus

Bihar Judicial Service (BPSC J) Criminal Law (IPC, CrPC, Evidence): topic-wise syllabus

1. 1

   Introduction and Classification of Evidence

   • Object and Scope of Evidence Law: Why Exclude Certain Evidence, Relevancy and Admissibility
   • Difference Between Indian Evidence Act 1872 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023: Key Changes
   • Fact: Factum Probans, Factum Probandum — Facts in Issue and Relevant Facts (Section 3)
   • Evidence: Oral and Documentary, Direct and Circumstantial, Primary and Secondary
   • Presumption of Fact and Law: May Presume, Shall Presume, Conclusive Proof (Section 4)
2. 2

   Relevancy of Facts (Sections 5-16 BSA / Sections 6-16 IEA)

   • Res Gestae (Section 6): Transactional Facts, Spontaneous Exclamations, Acts Accompanying/Explaining
   • Occasion, Cause, Effect of Facts in Issue (Section 7), Motive/Preparation/Conduct (Section 8)
   • Facts Necessary to Explain or Introduce (Section 9): Identification, Times, Place
   • Conspiracy Statements (Section 10): Rendezvous of Conspirators, Reasonable Ground
   • When Fact Not Otherwise Relevant Becomes Relevant (Sections 11-16): Inconsistent, Customs, State of Mind/Body
3. 3

   Admissions and Confessions (Sections 17-31 IEA / BSA 17-31)

   • Admission (Section 17): Definition, Who Can Make (Section 18), Against Whom Relevant
   • Admission in Civil Cases: When Conclusive, Evidentiary Value
   • Confession (Section 15 BSA / IEA 17): Judicial vs Extra-judicial, Retracted Confession
   • Confession to Police (Section 24 IEA / Section 23 BSA): Irrelevant, Custodial Confession, Police Custody
   • Confession Caused by Inducement/Threat/Promise (Section 24 IEA / Section 21 BSA)
   • Confession of Co-accused (Section 30 IEA / BSA): When Relevant, Evidentiary Value
   • Case Law: Pakala Narayana Swami v Emperor (Confession Definition); Sarwan Singh v State of Punjab (Extra-judicial Confession)
4. 4

   Dying Declaration and Expert Evidence (Sections 32-33, 45-51 IEA)

   • Dying Declaration (Section 32(1) IEA): When Death Person's Statement Relevant, Conditions, Evidentiary Value, Corroboration
   • Other Statements of Deceased Persons: Cause of Death (Section 32(1)), Course of Business (Section 32(2)), Pedigree (Section 32(6))
   • Opinion of Experts (Section 45): Handwriting, Fingerprints, Medical, Ballistics, DNA, Electronic
   • Opinion of Third Persons (Sections 46-51): Custom, Rights, Usage, Tenancy
   • Case Law: Sharad Birdhichand v State of Maharashtra (Dying Declaration); Khushal Rao v State of Bombay (Dying Declaration)
5. 5

   Burden of Proof and Estoppel (Sections 101-117 IEA)

   • Burden of Proof (Section 101): On Who Assert, Shifting During Trial
   • Burden on Prosecution in Criminal Cases, Reverse Onus (Dowry Death, NDPS, PMLA)
   • Presumptions as to Documents (Sections 81-90): Certified Copies, Wills, 30-Year-Old Documents
   • Estoppel (Section 115 IEA): Definition, Three Conditions: Representation, Reliance, Detriment
   • Kinds of Estoppel: Record, Deed, Pais/Conduct, Promissory Estoppel, Equitable Estoppel
   • Estoppel vs Res Judicata, No Estoppel Against Statute, Against Minor
6. 6

   Witnesses and Their Examination (Sections 118-167 IEA)

   • Competency of Witnesses (Section 118): All Competent Unless Prevented, Child, Lunatic, Deaf/Mute
   • Accused as Witness (Section 315 CrPC), Spousal Competence, Dumb Witnesses
   • Privileged Communications (Sections 121-132): Judges, Magistrates, Legal Advisers, Spouses (Section 122), Official (Section 123)
   • Examination-in-Chief, Cross-Examination, Re-examination (Sections 137-138)
   • Leading Questions (Section 142-143): When Permitted, Cross-examination Rules
   • Hostile Witnesses (Section 154): With Permission, Contradict Own Witness
   • Refreshing Memory (Sections 159-161), Production of Documents
7. 7

   Documentary and Oral Evidence (Sections 61-100 IEA)

   • Primary Evidence (Section 62): The Document Itself, Best Evidence Rule
   • Secondary Evidence (Section 63): Copies, Oral Account, When Admissible (Section 65)
   • Public vs Private Documents (Sections 74-78), Certified Copies
   • Presumptions as to Documents (Sections 79-90 A): Gazettes, Electronic, Certified Copies
   • Exclusion of Oral by Documentary Evidence (Sections 91-100): Best Evidence Rule, Variations of Written Terms
8. 8

   Electronic Evidence and Digital Records

   • Electronic Records as Evidence: Section 65A-65B IEA, Section 63-64 BSA 2023
   • Admissibility: Certificate Under Section 65B(4), Electronic Signature
   • Key Changes in BSA 2023: Electronic Evidence Expanded, Oral Evidence Includes Electronic
   • Case Law: Anvar P V v P K Basheer (Section 65B); Shafhi Mohammad v State of HP; Arjun Pandit Rao v State of Karnataka
9. 9

   Introduction, Stages of Crime, and Joint Liability

   • Territorial Operation (Sections 1-5 IPC / BNS): Extent, Place of Offence, Extra-Territorial
   • Stages of Crime: Intention, Preparation, Attempt, Commission
   • Doctrine of Actus Reus Non Facit Reum Nisi Mens Sit Rea: Mens Rea Exceptions, Strict Liability
   • Joint Liability: Common Intention (Section 34 IPC / BNS), Common Object (Section 149 IPC / BNS): Difference, Daya Ram Pandey, Henry Lawrence Cases
   • Criminal Conspiracy (Section 120A-120B IPC / BNS): Two Persons, Agreement, Overt Act (When Required)
   • Abetment (Sections 107-120 IPC): Instigation, Conspiracy, Aiding, Abetment in India of Offence Outside
10. 10

    General Exceptions (Sections 76-106 IPC / BNS)

    • Judicial Acts (Sections 77-78), Act Done Pursuant to Order (Section 79)
    • Accident (Section 80), Act Done Without Criminal Intent (Section 81)
    • Act of Child (Sections 82-83): Doli Incapax (Under 7, Above 7 Under 12)
    • Insanity (Section 84): McNaughten Rules, Legal Insanity, Medical Insanity Distinct
    • Intoxication (Sections 85-86): Involuntary vs Voluntary, Specific Intent, Rajesh Yadav v State of UP
    • Consent (Sections 87-92): Knowledge of Likely Consequences, Implied Consent
    • Good Faith (Sections 52, 76, 79, 93), Trifling Acts (Section 95)
11. 11

    Right of Private Defence (Sections 96-106 IPC / BNS)

    • Right of Private Defence of Body (Section 97): Extended to Self, Others, Against Offences
    • Right of Private Defence of Property (Section 97): Movable, Immovable, Against Trespass/Theft/Robbery/Dacoity
    • Acts Against Which There is No Right (Section 99): Public Servant Acting in Good Faith
    • When Extends to Causing Death (Section 100-103): Apprehension of Death, Grievous Hurt, Rape, Kidnapping, Robbery, Arson, Dacoity — Darshan Singh v State of Punjab
    • Exceeding Right: Criminal Liability, Onus of Proof on Accused
12. 12

    Offences Affecting the Human Body (Sections 299-377 IPC / BNS)

    • Culpable Homicide (Section 299): Three Ingredients: Act Done with Intention of Causing Death/Injury Likely to Cause Death/Knowledge Likely to Cause Death
    • Murder (Section 300): Four Clauses — Intention to Cause Death, Bodily Injury Likely to Cause Death, Knowledge + Intention, Impossible to Avoid — Exception: R v Govinda (Distinction Between Culpable Homicide and Murder)
    • Dowry Death (Section 304B): Seven Conditions, Presumption, Burden of Rebuttal
    • Attempt to Murder (Section 307), Attempt to Suicide (Section 309, Decriminalized via Mental Healthcare Act 2017)
    • Hurt and Grievous Hurt (Sections 319-338): Eight Kinds of Grievous Hurt (Section 320), Endangering Life
    • Wrongful Restraint (Section 339-340), Wrongful Confinement (Section 340-348)
    • Kidnapping (Sections 359-363): From India, From Lawful Guardianship; Abduction (Section 362)
    • Sexual Offences: Rape (Section 375-376, Criminal Law Amendment 2013/2018), Marital Rape Exception
    • Voyeurism (Section 354C), Stalking (Section 354D), Acid Attack (Section 326A-B)
    • Unnatural Offences (Section 377): Criminalised, Decriminalised by Navtej Singh Johar v Union of India (2018)
13. 13

    Offences Against Women and Marriage (Sections 493-498A IPC / BNS)

    • Cruelty by Husband/Relatives (Section 498A): Definition of Cruelty, Presumption, Cognizable
    • Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961: Dowry Demand, Penalty, Dowry Prohibition Officers
    • Bigamy (Sections 494-495): Essential Conditions, Proof of Marriage, Exception: Custom
    • Adultery (Section 497): Struck Down — Joseph Shine v Union of India (2018)
    • Criminal Breach of Trust (Section 405-409), Criminal Intimidation (Section 503-506)
14. 14

    Offences Against Property (Sections 378-462 IPC / BNS)

    • Theft (Section 378): Dishonest Intention, Taking Movable Property, Moving Without Consent
    • Extortion (Section 383): Put in Fear of Injury, Delivery of Property/Valued Security
    • Distinction between Theft, Extortion, and Robbery (Section 390): Theft + Attempt to Cause Death/Hurt
    • Dacoity (Section 391): Five or More Persons, Conjointly Committing Robbery
    • Criminal Misappropriation of Property (Section 403): Dishonest Misappropriation, Innocent Receipt
    • Criminal Breach of Trust (Section 405): Entrusted with Property, Conversion to Own Use
    • Receiving Stolen Property (Section 411), Cheating (Section 415): Deception + Dishonest Consequence, Person Deceived Must Suffer Damage
    • Fraudulent Deeds/Dishonest Execution of Deed (Section 421-424)
    • Mischief (Sections 425-440): Destruction of Property, Damage, Fire/Explosive
    • Criminal Trespass (Section 441-462): Entry into Property, Housebreaking
15. 15

    Offences Against the State and Public Tranquility (Sections 121-160 IPC / BNS)

    • Waging War Against the Government of India (Section 121), Sedition (Section 124A): Kedarnath v State of Bihar, S G Vombatkere v Union of India 2022
    • Unlawful Assembly (Section 141): Five Persons, Common Object, Object: Overawe Government, Resist Execution, Forcible Possession, Offence, Criminal Force
    • Rioting (Section 146): Unlawful Assembly + Force/Violence
    • Affray (Section 159): Two Persons, Public Place, Breach of Peace
    • Offences Relating to Public Servants (Sections 166-171): Obstructing, Pretending
16. 16

    Defamation and Offences Relating to Documents (Sections 499-502, 463-489 IPC / BNS)

    • Defamation (Section 499): Imputation Harming Reputation, Four Exceptions: Truth for Public Good, Public Conduct, Court, Censure by Public Servant, Caution
    • Forgery (Sections 463-465): Making False Document, Intention to Cause Damage, Counterfeiting
    • Making Fake Documents, Falsification of Accounts, Forgery of Records
    • Offences Relating to Currency and Stamps (Sections 489A-489E): Counterfeiting Indian Coins, Bank Notes
17. 17

    Courts, Powers, and Jurisdiction (Sections 6-25 CrPC / BNSS)

    • Hierarchy of Criminal Courts: Supreme Court, High Court, Sessions, JMFC, Magistrate (1st/2nd Class), Executive Magistrate
    • Territorial Divisions: State, Sessions Division, District, Sub-division, Taluka (Section 7-14)
    • Powers of Courts: Sentencing Powers (Section 26-28), Kinds of Sentences (Death, Life, Imprisonment, Fine)
    • Jurisdiction: Place of Inquiry and Trial (Sections 177-189), Offence Committed Within Local Jurisdiction, Uncertainty of Offence Location
18. 18

    Arrest, Bail, and Pre-Trial Procedures (Sections 41-60A, 436-450 CrPC / BNSS)

    • Arrest: Arrest with/without Warrant (Sections 41-44), Private Person Arrest (Section 43), Rights of Arrested Person (Article 22, Section 50, 56-57)
    • Arrest of Women: Section 46(4), Special Provisions, Time of Arrest, Handcuffing
    • FIR (Section 154): Information, Zero FIR, Ante-timed/Ante-dated, Evidentiary Value, Remedies for Refusal (Section 154(3), Section 156(3), Section 200 Complaint)
    • Bail (Sections 436-450): Bailable and Non-Bailable Offences, Anticipatory Bail (Section 438), Conditions
    • Default Bail (Section 167(2)): Right After Investigation Period, Unexplained Delay
    • Cognizance of Offences (Sections 190-199): By Magistrate, By Court of Session, Complaint Case, Police Case
    • Case Law: DK Basu v State of WB (Arrest Guidelines); Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre v State of Maharashtra (Bail); Hussainara Khatoon v Home Secy, Bihar (Speedy Trial)
19. 19

    Investigation, Search, and Framing of Charge (Sections 155-173, 211-224 CrPC / BNSS)

    • Investigation: Procedure, Police Officer's Powers, Examination of Witnesses (Section 161), Recording Confession (Section 164)
    • Search and Seizure (Sections 93-105): Search Warrant, When Issuable, General Search (Section 94), Seizure of Property
    • Inquest (Section 174), Post-Mortem, Forensic Examination
    • Police Report (Section 173): Final Report, Closure Report, Charge Sheet
    • Framing of Charge (Sections 211-224): Form, Contents, Joinder of Charges (Section 212-223), Alteration, Discharge
    • Case Law: Lalita Kumari v State of UP (FIR Regn Mandatory); R P Kapur v State of Punjab (Inherent Powers)
20. 20

    Criminal Trial Procedure (Sections 225-265 CrPC / BNSS)

    • Session Trial (Sections 225-237): Public Prosecutor, Opening Case, Examination of Accused (Section 313), Defence Evidence, Arguments, Judgment
    • Warrant Trial (Sections 238-250): Initiated on Police Report vs Complaint, Procedure
    • Summons Trial (Sections 251-259): Simpler Procedure, Plea of Guilty, Conviction
    • Summary Trial (Sections 260-265): Magistrate's Powers, No Sentence >3 Months Imprisonment
    • Victim Compensation (Section 357A), Plea Bargaining (Sections 265A-L): Chapter XXIA, Applicability, Procedure
21. 21

    Judgment, Sentence, and Execution (Sections 353-374 CrPC / BNSS)

    • Judgment: Contents (Section 354), Language, Grounds of Decision, Acquittal and Conviction
    • Modes of Sentence: Death, Life Imprisonment, Imprisonment (Rigorous, Simple), Fine, Death Sentence Confirmation (Section 366)
    • Submission of Death Sentence for Confirmation, Procedure in Confirmation (Section 367-373)
    • Execution of Orders (Sections 374-380): Warrant, Postponement, Suspension
22. 22

    Appeals, Revision, Reference, and Transfer (Sections 372-407 CrPC / BNSS)

    • Appeals: From Conviction (Section 374): To HC/Sessions, From Acquittal (Section 378): Special Leave, From Sentence (Section 377)
    • Reference and Revision (Sections 395-405): Sessions Court Revision, HC Revision Powers
    • Inherent Powers of High Court (Section 482): Quashing FIR/Proceedings, Abuse of Process — State of Haryana v Bhajan Lal
    • Transfer of Cases (Sections 406-408): Supreme Court, High Court
23. 23

    Maintenance, Security, and Miscellaneous (Sections 125-128, 106-124, 451-484 CrPC / BNSS)

    • Order for Maintenance of Wives, Children, Parents (Section 125 CrPC): Muslim Women's Right, Shah Bano, Amendment, Danial Latifi
    • Procedure in Section 125: Claim, Proof of Neglect/Refusal, Maximum Amount
    • Security for Keeping Peace/Good Behaviour (Sections 106-124): In Case of Conviction, Habitual Offenders
    • Disposal of Property (Sections 451-459): Custody of Property Pending Trial, Order of Disposal
    • Limitation for Taking Cognizance (Section 468-473): 6 Months Fine, 1 Year 3 Years Imprisonment, 3 Years >3 Yrs