BENGALURU: Causing mere scratch marks cannot become an offence under section 323 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the high court observed in a recent judgment, while quashing a criminal case against a resident of Puttur taluk in Dakshina Kannada district.
“For an offence punishable under section 323 IPC, hurt should be caused in the squabble. A perusal of the wound certificate shows a simple scratch mark was caused on the forearm and another on the chest. Bleeding is not what is indicated,” justice M Nagaprasanna noted in his order, while allowing the petition filed by Rithesh Pais. Section 323 prescribes punishment for causing hurt.