Principle Ignorance of Fact is excused but ignorance of law is no excuse Fact X was a passenger from...........

Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860 Others

Principle: Ignorance of Fact is excused but ignorance of law is no excuse

Fact: X was a passenger from Zurich to Manila in a Swiss Plane. When the plane landed at the Airport of Bombay on 28 Nov. 1962 it was found on searching that X carried 34 kg of Gold Bars on his person and that he had not declared it in the ‘Manifest for Transit’. On 26th Nov. 1962 the Government of India had issued a notification modifying its earlier exemption, making it mandatory now that the gold must be declared in the “Manifest” of the aircraft.

X cannot be prosecuted because he had actually no knowledge about the new notification issued two days ago

X cannot be prosecuted because ignorance of fact is excusable

X can be prosecuted because ignorance of law is not excusable

X’s liability would depend on the discretion of the court

Explanation:

X can be prosecuted because he was ignorant about the new notification that was passed and the law says that ignorance of law is .non-excusable.
It was imperative upon X to become aware of the law before choosing a flight which was to transit in India.
Hence, option 3 is the correct answer.