Section 317: Exposure and abandonment of child under twelve years, by parent or person having care of it

Q: What does Section 317 of The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) deal with?

Section 317 IPC pertains to "Exposure and abandonment of child under twelve years, by parent or person having care of it". It is part of the The Indian Penal Code, 1860, a legislation enacted by the Parliament of India. Section 317 of The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) governs exposure and abandonment of child under twelve years, by parent or person having care of it. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: Is Section 317 IPC still in force?

Yes, Section 317 of the The Indian Penal Code, 1860 is currently in force across the Republic of India.

Q: What is धारा 317 IPC?

धारा 317 IPC is the Devanagari Hindi reference for Section 317 of the The Indian Penal Code, 1860. Section 317 of The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) governs exposure and abandonment of child under twelve years, by parent or person having care of it. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: What is Dhara 317 IPC?

Dhara 317 IPC is the Roman Hindi reference for Section 317 of the The Indian Penal Code, 1860. "Dhara" means "Section" in Hindi. Section 317 of The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) governs exposure and abandonment of child under twelve years, by parent or person having care of it. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: How to cite Section 317 of The Indian Penal Code, 1860?

Cite as: "Section 317, The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC)" in legal briefs. For academic writing, use the BlueBook format: The Indian Penal Code, 1860, § 317 (India).

Law on Tips Editorial Board

Whoever being the father or mother of a child under the age of twelve years, or having the care of such child, shall expose or leave such child in any place with the intention of wholly abandoning such child, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

Explanation.— This section is not intended to prevent the trial of the offender for murder or culpable homicide, as the case may be, if the child dies in consequence of the exposure.