Section 286: Self‐defence against unprovoked assault

When a person is unlawfully assaulted, and has not provoked the assault, it is lawful
for him to use such force to the assailant as is reasonably necessary to make effectual
defence against the assault:
Provided that the force used is not intended, and is not such as is likely, to cause
death or grievous harm.
If the nature of the assault is such as to cause reasonable apprehension of death or
grievous harm, and the person using force by way of defence believes, on reasonable
ground, that he cannot otherwise preserve the person defended from death or
grievous harm, it is lawful for him to use any such force to the assailant as is
necessary for defence, even though such force may cause death or grievous harm.