Section 42

The IPC often uses terms like 'law' or 'special law' throughout its provisions (for example, when discussing offences that depend on whether someone knew or should have known a law existed). To make these provisions workable across a diverse country with laws made by different provincial or state legislatures, the drafters included this definition clause to distinguish laws of general, India-wide application from those confined to a particular territory. This helps courts and citizens understand which category a given law falls into when other IPC sections refer to 'local law'.

• Myth: A 'local law' means a law made by a village or municipality only.
  Fact: It simply means any law — whether made by a state legislature or otherwise — that applies only to part of India, not necessarily just very small local bodies.