Article 21
Protection of life and personal liberty
Plain-language guide to a selected constitutional provision. Read the authoritative current text before quoting in a pleading.
What does this Article concern?
Protects life and personal liberty, subject to procedure established by law and constitutional interpretation.
This is an editorial explanation, not a reproduction of the Article’s exact wording. The Constitution may contain conditions, clauses, exceptions and qualifications that are essential to its operation.
Constitutional questions may require reading related Articles, statutory provisions and Supreme Court interpretations together. For litigation, verify the current official text and controlling decisions.
Related legal issues
Robbery / Loot ↗
Robbery can arise from theft or extortion accompanied by the kind of force, restraint or immediate fear described in BNS Section 309.
Domestic Violence ↗
Domestic violence may lead to protection, residence, monetary and custody-related reliefs; criminal provisions may also apply if separate elements are present.
Extortion / Blackmail ↗
Search unlawful threats connected to obtaining property, and distinguish extortion from general criminal intimidation.
Cyber Harassment / Stalking ↗
Search online stalking, privacy violation, threats and specified obscene-content offences.
Murder / Culpable Homicide ↗
Find the distinction between murder, culpable homicide and negligent death.
Sexual Assault / Rape ↗
Find selected penal provisions dealing with rape and other specified sexual offences.
Harassment of Women ↗
Search specified criminal provisions relating to harassment and safety of women.
Kidnapping / Abduction ↗
Search kidnapping and related serious offences, with safeguards for children.
Defamation / Reputation ↗
Search the criminal defamation section and constitutional free-expression context.