Actus Reus

Actus reus refers to the external or physical element of a crime, as opposed to the mental element (mens rea). It encompasses the conduct, circumstances, and consequences that constitute the prohibited act defined by criminal law.

In Indian criminal law, actus reus may consist of: 1. An act (commission) - positive physical conduct, such as stabbing in murder 2. An omission (failure to act) - where there is a legal duty to act, such as a parent's failure to provide necessaries to a child under Section 317 IPC 3. A state of affairs - being in a particular condition, such as being found in possession of stolen property

The Indian Penal Code, 1860 carefully defines the actus reus for each offence. For instance, in theft (Section 378 IPC), the actus reus is "moving property out of the possession of any person." The actus reus must be voluntary; acts done under compulsion, automatism, or reflex are not considered voluntary acts.

The principle of actus reus also requires that the act be a proximate cause of the prohibited result. The chain of causation must not be broken by an intervening act.