Both Section 332 and Section 333 of the Indian Penal Code 1860 comes under the CHAPTER XVI which deals with ‘offence relating to human body’.
Let’s understand the distinctions under the following table:
Table of Contents
Basic difference between Section 332 and Section 333 IPC
| Section 332 IPC | Section 333 IPC |
| Voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant in discharge of his duty as public servant; or Voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant with intent to prevent or deter him from discharging his duty as public servant; or Voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant in consequence of anything done or attempted to be done by that person in the lawful discharge of his duty as such public servant | Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to a public servant in discharge of his duty as public servant; or Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to a public servant with intent to prevent or deter him from discharging his duty as public servant; or Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to a public servant in consequence of anything done or attempted to be done by that person in the lawful discharge of his duty as such public servant |
| Punishment : imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both. | Punishment : imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine. |
So the basic difference is of the word ‘hurt’ and ‘grievous hurt’
Grievous hurt is more serious is nature than the hurt.
Hurt definition, Hurt definition in Section 319 IPC
‘Hurt’ has been defined in Section 319 of the Code as :
Whoever causes bodily pain, disease or infirmity to any person is said to cause hurt.
Bodily pain is any physical pain. Infirmity has been defined in as physical weakness or ailment under https://www.dictionary.com/browse/infirmity
Grievous hurt definition, Grievous hurt definition in Section 320 IPC
‘Grievous hurt’ has been defined in Section 320 of the Code as :
The following kinds of hurt only are designated as “grievous”:—
First.—Emasculation.
Secondly.—Permanent privation of the sight of either eye.
Thirdly.—Permanent privation of the hearing of either ear.
Fourthly.—Privation of any member or joint.
Fifthly.—Destruction or permanent impairing of the powers of any member or joint.
Sixthly.—Permanent disfiguration of the head or face.
Seventhly.—Fracture or dislocation of a bone or tooth.
Eighthly.—Any hurt which endangers life or which causes the sufferer to be during the space of twenty days in severe bodily pain, or unable to follow his ordinary pursuits.
Corollary
So the basic distinction between Sec. 332 and Sec. 333 of the Indian Penal Code 1860 is the severity of the offence.
While Sec. 332 deals with the less severe offence i.e. causing hurt, Sec. 333 deals with the more severe offence i.e. Grievous hurt.