The Legal Dilemmas of Crimes Committed in Dreams: Can Individuals be Held Liable for Actions in Altered States of Consciousness?
International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology May 31, 2025 DOI: 10.22214/ijraset.2025.70832 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness |
| Keywords | Law |
| Key points | Argues that crimes allegedly committed during sleep or dream states raise profound questions about culpability, intent, and free will, and that legal systems must reconsider whether liability should attach to involuntary acts performed in dream-like states. Contends that India's new criminal law statutes (BNS, BSA, BNSS, 2023) carry implications for altered states of consciousness, and proposes that ethical considerations and legal reforms are needed to align justice with emerging scientific insights. |
Abstract
Abstract: The intersection of criminal liability and altered states of consciousness presents unique jurisprudential challenges. Crimes allegedly committed during sleep or dream states raise profound questions about culpability, intent, and free will. This paper explores the legal dilemmas surrounding criminal acts committed in dreams, analyzing jurisprudence, neuroscience, and comparative legal frameworks. The study evaluates provisions in thenewly enacted Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA),andBhartiyaNagrikSurakshaSanhita,2023(BNSS),examiningtheirimplications for altered states of consciousness. Through case studies and doctrinal analysis, the research evaluates whether legal systems should attribute liability for involuntary acts performed in dream-like states. Ethical considerations and potential legal reforms are also discussed to ensure justice aligns with emerging scientific insights.