Taxmann Indian Penal Code 1860

The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) is the principal criminal code of India, enacted to define offences and prescribe punishments for acts and omissions that constitute crimes. Drafted under the leadership of Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay, the IPC came into force on 1st January 1862, serving as the foundation of India’s substantive criminal law.

The Code comprehensively covers offences against the State, public tranquility, human body, property, and documents, as well as offences relating to marriage, religion, and defamation. It classifies crimes and provides corresponding penalties, ranging from fines and imprisonment to capital punishment.

Over the years, the IPC has undergone numerous amendments to align with changing social, political, and legal developments, ensuring justice, public order, and protection of individual rights. The Code continues to be a cornerstone of India’s criminal justice system, influencing several other Commonwealth nations.