Bona Fide
/BOH-nah FY-dee/
In good faith — genuine, sincere, and without deception or fraud.
Full Definition
Bona fide (Latin: 'in good faith') means acting genuinely, honestly, and without fraud or deceit. A bona fide act is one done with an honest belief in its correctness. The concept is central to many IPC defences — Section 52 IPC defines 'good faith' as 'nothing is said to be done in good faith which is done without due care and attention.' This definition is narrower than the plain meaning: good faith under the IPC requires actual exercise of due care, not merely honest intention.
In Indian Law
IPC Section 52 defines 'good faith'. Multiple sections rely on it as a defence: Section 79 (act done in good faith believing oneself justified by law), Section 88 (act done in good faith for benefit of person with consent), Section 92 (act done in good faith for benefit of child), and the medical profession defence in Section 88. The Supreme Court in Jacob Mathew v. State of Punjab (2005) held that medical negligence requires more than mere bona fide mistake — gross negligence must be shown.