The right to self-defence is Protected under sections 96-106 of the IPC. However, what is of paramount importance is that the force used in self-defence should be Proportional to the intensity of the attack.
You Can Not Murder Someone In Self-defence
Unless the person has Attempted to murder or rape you or is attempting to murder or rape you (Amongst other reasons in Sec 100 of IPC). If a person is stealing or trespassing into your property & you murder them, it will count as murder & not as self-defence.
You Cannot Murder An Unarmed Person In Self-defence
If you can be proved as being aggressive during a self-defence situation, then it’ll be a murder, because you cannot shift from defence to attack without the intention of doing harm and not saving yourself.
2 Principles Of Private Defence
- Everyone has the right to defend his own body and property & another body and property.
- Right of Private Defence is not applicable in those cases where the accused himself is an aggressive party.
Section 96-106 of IPC
IPC Section 96
Things are done in private defence
IPC Section 97
Private defence of the body and of property
IPC Section 98
Private defence against the act of a person of unsound mind, etc.
IPC Section 99
Acts against which there is no right of private defence.
IPC Section 100
When Private Defence of the body extends to causing death
IPC Section 101
When such right extends to causing any harm other than death