Under Section 20 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which of the following best describes the principle of Doli Incapax?

The correct answer is Option 3

Key Points

• Section 20 of the BNS states that a child under 12 years is not criminally liable if they lack sufficient maturity to understand their conduct.
• This embodies the doctrine of Doli Incapax, recognizing that criminal intention cannot be presumed in young children unless maturity is clearly established.
• This section merges and modernizes the principles earlier found in Sections 82 and 83 of the IPC.