Prevention of or defence against crime

(1) For the prevention of or for the defence of himself or of any other person against crime, a person may justify the use of necessary force not extending to a blow, wound or grievous harm. (2) For the prevention of or for the defence of himself or of any other person against any criminal force or harm, a person may justify the use of necessary force not extending to a wound (3) For the prevention of or for the defence of himself or of any other person against any felony, a person may justify the use of necessary force not extending to dangerous harm. (4) For the prevention of or for the defence of himself or of any other person against any of the following crimes, a person may justify the use of necessary force or harm, extending in case of extreme necessity even to killing, namely– (a) treason; (b) (c) (d) except by (e) (f) 42 (g) (h) arson of a dwelling-house or vessel; (i) rape; (j) forcible unnatural crime; (k) dangerous or grievous harm. (5) For the suppression or dispersion of a riotous or unlawful assembly, force may be justified in the cases and subject to the conditions specified in this Code with respect to such (6) No force used in an unlawful fight can be justified under any provision of this Code, and every fight is an unlawful fight in which a person engages, or which he maintains, otherwise than solely in pursuance of some of the matters of justification specified in this Title. (7) Where a person is alleged to have killed another person and the accused person claims that he did so for the prevention of or for the defence of himself or of any other person against any of the crimes specified in sub-section (4), no charge shall be laid or prosecution commenced against such person for the offence of murder except with the leave of the Director of Public Prosecutions given in writing. (8) In considering whether or not to grant leave for the purpose of sub-section (7), the Director of Public Prosecutions shall have regard to all the relevant circumstances including the prevalence of the crime in respect of which the force was allegedly used and the danger apprehended by the person using the force. 43