Criminal Law Semester Plan

Module Title of the Module Lecture Session

I Introduction to Criminal Law 8
II General Exception 12

III Punishment 3
IV Group Liability 8
V Offence against Public Tranquility 3
VI Specific Offence against the Human 11
Body

VII Offence Against Property 10

VIII Offence Relating to Marriage 10

IX Other Offence 7

The primary objective of criminal law is to maintain law and order in the society and to protect
the life and liberty of people. It is for this reason that people place their ultimate reliance on this
branch of law for protection against all injuries that human conduct can inflict on individuals and
institutions. The primary objectives of this course are:-
i. To familiarize the students with the key concepts regarding crime and criminal law.
ii. To expose the students to the range of mental states that constitute mens rea essential for
committing crime.
iii. To teach specific offences under the Indian Penal Code.
iv. To keep students abreast of the latest developments and changes in the field of criminal
law.

Unit 1: General Introduction

 Nature and Definition of Crime.
 Principles of Criminal Law.
 Constituent elements of Crime.
  Actus rius or the Harm Principle.
 Mens rea or the Guilty mind or Blame worthiness principle.
 Structure of IPC.
 Extent and Application of IPC.
 General Explanation

Unit 2: General Exception – Section 76 to 106

 Definitions
 Mistake
 Judicial and Executive acts
 Accident and Necessity
 Infancy
 Insanity
 Intoxication
 Consent
 Good Faith

 Private Defense against Body and Property

Unit 3: Punishments:
 Fine
 Imprisonment: Simple and Rigorous
 Imprisonment for Life
 Solitary Confinement
 Capital Punishment

Unit 4: Group Liability

 Common intention – Common object
 Abetment – instigation – aiding – conspiracy
 Unlawful assembly
 Criminal conspiracy and Offence Against the State

Unit 5: Offence against Public Tranquility

  Unlawful assembly
 Rioting
 Assault or Obstructing Public Servant
 Provocation and Communal Enmity
 Affray

Unit 6: Specific Offence against the Human Body

 Homicide
 Murder
 Suicide
 Attempt to Murder and Suicide
 Causing Miscarriage
 Hurt
 Wrongful Restraint and Confinement
 Force
 Assault
 Kidnapping
 Abduction
 Rape
 Unnatural Sex

Unit 7: Offence against Property

 Theft, Extortion and Robbery

 Dacoity
 Misappropriation of Property
 Criminal Breach of Trust
 Receiving Stolen Property
 Cheating
 Criminal Trespass
 Forgery
 Criminal Breach of Contract of Service
Unit 8: Offence Related to Marriage

 Bigamy
 Adultery
 Cruelty by Husband and Relatives
 Dowry Death

Unit 9: Other Offence

 Defamation
 Criminal Intimidation
 Insult and Annoyance
 Attempt to Commit Offences

Suggested Reading Material

 Glanville Williams, Text Book of Criminal Law,  Universal Law Publishing Co., New
Delhi, 2012
 Ratanlal Dhiraj Lal, The Indian Penal Code, Lexis Nexis, Butterworths Wadhwa,
Nagpur, 2012
 K.D. Gaur, Textbook on Indian Penal Code, Universal Law Publishing Co., New Delhi,
2012
 J.W. Cecil Turner, Russel on Crime ,Vol I &2, Universal Law Publishing Co., New
Delhi, 2012
 K.I. Vibhuti, PSA Pillai’s Criminal Law, Lexis Nexis, Butterworths Wadhwa, Nagpur,
2012
 Dr. H.S. Gaur, Penal Law of India, Law Publishers , Allahabad, 2013
 John Dawson Mayne, Mayne’s Criminal law of India, Gale, Making of Modern Law,
2013
 Bare Act of Indian Penal Code, 1860