*Assistant Professor, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, HIMS, HIHT University, Jolly Grant, Dehradun. Uttrakhand-248140. E-mail: drdevinderatal_fmt@rediffmail.com
**Assoc. Prof, LHMC and Smt. S K Hospital, New Delhi-110001
***Prof & Head, HIMS, HIHT University, Jolly Grant, Dehradun, Uttrakhand-248140
Online published on 15 July, 2013.
A doctor posted in the Accident and Emergency Department or casualty very often deals with injury cases either come for treatment or those brought by the police. Though injury may be accidental, suicidal, homicidal or self inflicted, when there is allegation or suspicion of assault, the medical officer besides treating the patient, is legally bound to examine and opine regarding injury in the prescribed pro forma i.e. Injury report for the aid of investigating police agency and administration of justice in the court of law. However, as the promptness of police action against the alleged accused person who may also bear some vital evidence to the alleged incidence, lies with the seriousness of injury (nature of injury). Thus medical officer has to opine whether the bodily injuries found on the alleged victim are simple or grievous. Though sec 320 IPC enumerates grievous hurt, medical officer dealing such cases found it difficult in more than one occasion to conclude his/her opinion regarding the nature of injury. The present paper is an attempt to minimize their dilemma.
Medico-legal cases, Injury, Grievous hurt, Sec 320 IPC, Opinion
