BNS Section 351 – Criminal intimidation
The Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section – 503,506,507
Understanding Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 351: Criminal Intimidation
This law deals with threatening someone to cause fear or force them to act against their will. Here’s a simple breakdown:
What is Criminal Intimidation?
If a person:
- Threatens another person with harm to their body, reputation, or property,
- Or threatens harm to someone they care about,
- With the intent to cause fear or to force them to do something they are not legally required to do (or stop them from doing something they have a right to do),
they are committing criminal intimidation.
Punishment: Up to 2 years in jail OR fine OR both.
Key Points in Simple Table
| Crime | Punishment | Police Action | Bail? | Trial Court |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal intimidation (general) | Up to 2 years jail OR fine OR both | Non-cognizable | Bailable | Any Magistrate |
| Threat to cause death, grievous hurt, or serious harm | Up to 7 years jail OR fine OR both | Non-cognizable | Bailable | First Class Magistrate |
| Anonymous threats or concealed threats | Additional 2 years jail + punishment under Section 351(1) | Non-cognizable | Bailable | First Class Magistrate |
What Does “Threat” Mean?
- Threat: A warning of harm, such as injury, damage to property, or harm to reputation.
- Intent to Cause Fear: The threat must be made to scare the person or force them to act against their will.
Examples of Criminal Intimidation
- Example 1: Ramesh threatens to burn Priya’s house if she does not withdraw a court case. This is criminal intimidation.
- Example 2: Vijay threatens to leak Rakesh’s private chats to harm his reputation unless he drops a legal complaint. This is also criminal intimidation.
Special Cases
- Threats to Cause Death or Grievous Hurt:
- If the threat involves causing death, serious injury, or burning property, the punishment is stricter: up to 7 years in jail or a fine or both.
- Anonymous Threats:
- If the threat is made anonymously or the person hides their identity, they can face an additional 2 years in jail along with the original punishment.
Why is This Law Important?
- Criminal intimidation can cause mental stress, fear, and harm to individuals.
- This law ensures that those who use threats to scare or control others are punished.
Conclusion
BNS Section 351 strictly punishes those who use threats to intimidate others. Depending on the severity of the threat, the punishment can range from up to 2 years in jail (for general threats) to up to 7 years in jail (for serious threats like death or grievous hurt). Always resolve disputes peacefully and avoid using threats to avoid legal trouble.
