Law of Crimes Paper-I

Course Code: SLL 1703 Credits: 04

LTP: 400

Course Objective:
Society needs an efficient and effective system of criminal law to maintain law & order, as also to
protect the life, liberty and property of its citizens. The importance of criminal law thus lies in its
power and potential to protect the individuals and institutions against injuries that can be inflicted by
other human conduct. Law is undoubtedly an instrument of social control. Criminal law defines
crimes and lays down the rights duties and liabilities. The purpose of criminal law is not only to
effectively punish the violators but also to deter the potential violators from criminal conduct.
Criminal law can neither be weak nor harsh and arbitrary. The course will focus on general principles
of criminal liability with specific reference to the Indian Penal Code. The course has been designed to
foster critical thinking among the students and empower them to scrutinize the recent developments in
the field of substantive criminal law.

Course Content:
Unit-I Introduction and General Explanations
Nature, Concept and definition of Crime, Introduction to Indian Penal Code- Jurisdiction -
elements of criminal liability- actus reus and mens rea, Stages of crime, Definitions and
General Explanations, Punishment, joint liability- common intention and common object.

Unit-II General Exceptions

Mistake, Judicial and Executive acts, Accident, Necessity, Infancy, Insanity, Intoxication,
Consent, Good faith, Private Defence against Body and Property.

Unit-III: Incoherent Forms of Crime (Lectures-08)

Joint and Constructive Liability, Criminal Conspiracy, Attempt, Abetment

UNIT-IV
Offences affecting Human Body
Offences affecting human body- culpable homicide, murder, suicide, dowry death, causing
miscarriage, injuries to unborn children, exposure of infants and concealment of births, hurt
and grievous hurt, wrongful restraint and wrongful confinement, criminal force and assault,
kidnapping and abduction.

UNIT-V
Offences against Women:
Obscene acts and songs - Outraging the modesty of women, Stalking, Voyeurism, Rape and
Unnatural offence, Cruelty by husband or relatives of husband, Offences relating to marriage

UNIT VI
Offences against Property
Theft, Extortion, Robbery and Dacoity, Criminal misappropriation and Criminal breach of
trust, Cheating and forgery, Mischief, Criminal trespass.
Pedagogy:
The application of pedagogy for the Criminal Law is stimulated or inspired from the reason
that a deeper understanding & foundation need to be developed. Pedagogy for the module has
to take care of two things; firstly, a regular interaction among students and tutor is required,
involving students in active & participative manner, secondly, an instructive strategy is
required to understand implications, emphasizing learning by doing. In the module following
pedagogical approaches are adopted:
 Student Lecture and Presentation: To support the development of theoretical
construct.
 Case Study Method: Better understanding of the cases & practical aspects of the
criminology and penology and victimology.
Examination Scheme:
Component of Evaluation MidTer Assignment Viva ETE
m
20 10 10 60

Suggested readings:
Statues:
 Indian Penal Code 1860.
 Constitution of India.
Books:
1. Pillai, PSA, Criminal Law, 10th ed., Lexis-Nexis Butterworths Wadhwa, 2008
2. Jeroma Hall, Principles of Criminal Law
3. K.D.Gaur, Criminal Law Cases and Materials,7th ed.,LexisNexis,2013
4. R.C. Nigam, Law of Crimes in India (Vol. I) (1965)
5. Dr. Hari Singh Gaur: Penal Law of India
6. S.N. Mishra : Indian Penal Code, 19th ed., Central Law Publication,2013
7. Rattan Lal & Dhiraj Lal: Indian Penal Code- 30th Edition, Lexis-Nexis Butterworths
Wadhwa, 2008
8. Jaspal Singh: Indian Penal Code, Allahabad Law Agency, 1994
9. V.B. Raju, Commentary on Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Vol. I & II) (4th ed., 1982)
10. K.N.C. Pillai & Shabistan Aquil (Rev.), Essays on the Indian Penal Code (The Indian
Law Institute, 2005)