A Battery is the application of force , to the person of another , intentionally , without lawful justification ,in however slightest manner the force may be applied .It is striking of another’s person hostilely , or against his will , in angry , rude , revengeful and insolvent manner .
As for examples , kissing a girl , removing one’s hat from his head , cutting of one’s hair without her consent sitting on the next bench in college , spitting on one’s face , snatching of a paper from one’s hand are all the wrongs of battery .Similarly , firing a gun carelessly and injuring another is also the wrong of battery .
Following are the essential ingredients of battery :-
i) There must be use of force by the wrongdoer to the victim’s body either directly or through any object .
ii) The force must be used intentionally .
In the famous case of Hurst Vs. Picture Theatre Ltd. , the plaintiff purchased a ticket for a seat at a cinema show . However , he was forcibly turned out of his seat under the directions of the theatre manager who was under the mistaken belief that the plaintiff had not paid for the seat . The Court held that the plaintiff was entitled to damages .
But touching a man to draw his attention or in a crowd , jostling one another, is not battery .