54.
The answer is: C
Explanation
The correct option is C: Not an offence.
According to Section 80 of the Indian Penal Code, nothing is an offence which is done by accident or misfortune, and without any criminal intention or knowledge in the doing of a lawful act in a lawful manner by lawful means and with proper care and caution. This section provides an exception for the acts that are devoid of mens rea, which is the guilty mind or intention to commit a crime.
The illustration given in Section 80 is exactly the same as the scenario in the question. A is at work with a hatchet; the head flies off and kills a man who is standing by. Here, if there was no want of proper caution on the part of A, his act is excusable and not an offence.
Therefore, A is not liable for any criminal offence, as he did not act with any negligence or recklessness, and his act was purely accidental and unforeseeable. He was doing a lawful act in a lawful manner by lawful means and with proper care and caution. He did not have any criminal intention or knowledge to cause the death of the man who was standing by.