Kochi | July 21, 2025
A motorbike may get you from point A to B, but use it to deliberately hurt someone, and it could land you in jail under serious criminal charges. That’s the strong message sent by the Kerala High Court, which ruled that a motorcycle used to cause bodily harm qualifies as a “dangerous weapon” under Section 324 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The Court upheld the conviction of a man who had intentionally rammed his bike into the father of his former partner, injuring his lip. Though the incident occurred nearly two decades ago, the Court made it clear: objects not normally considered weapons can become one based on how they are used.
Intent Turns Machines Into Weapons
The case was heard by Justice Kauser Edappagath, who made a legally significant observation—“It’s not the nature of the object, but its use with intent to injure, that brings it within the purview of a dangerous weapon under the law.”
Citing the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling in Mathai v. State of Kerala (2005), the High Court emphasized that the IPC’s Section 324 is broad enough to cover non-traditional weapons if they’re used in a manner capable of causing bodily harm.
The Case: What Happened?
• The appellant, in 2005, intentionally rode his motorcycle into his girlfriend’s father, injuring his lip during a confrontation.
• He was convicted under Section 324 IPC for voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of ₹2,000.
• On appeal, the High Court upheld the conviction but reduced the sentence to one day in jail along with a fine of ₹50,000, considering that the injury was not grievous and over 19 years had passed since the incident.
Legal Impact: Why This Ruling Matters
• Redefines Common Objects in Legal Contexts: The judgment expands how everyday items like motor vehicles can be interpreted under criminal law if used to hurt others.
• Strengthens Prosecution of Vehicular Assault: This interpretation empowers police and courts to prosecute violent misuse of vehicles more effectively.
• Sets a Deterrent Precedent: Using any object with the intent to injure whether a stone, stick, or scooter can attract stricter punishment.
What is Section 324 IPC?
Section 324 of the Indian Penal Code punishes voluntarily causing hurt by means of any instrument used as a weapon of offence likely to cause death, including by fire, poison, or dangerous objects. The section is bailable, cognizable, and non-compoundable.
Case: Manoj v. State of Kerala
