BNS Section 351: (1) Criminal intimidation
Equivalent Legacy Law: IPC Section 503
💡 Simplified Explanation
BNS Section 351 deals with the legal rules and penalties for CRIMINAL INTIMIDATION. In simple terms: Threatening someone with injury to their person, reputation, or property to force them to do something against their will.
Real-World Scenario
"Threatening to burn a vendor's cart unless they pay you protection money."
⚖️ Procedural Classification Summary
Criminal intimidation
Bailable: Bailable (Bail is a legal right — granted at police station)
Cognizable: Non-cognizable (Police cannot arrest without warrant)
Triable by: Any Magistrate
Punishment: Imprisonment for 2 years, or fine, or both
If threat be to cause death or grievous hurt, etc.
Bailable: Bailable (Bail is a legal right — granted at police station)
Cognizable: Non-cognizable (Police cannot arrest without warrant)
Triable by: Magistrate of the first class
Punishment: Imprisonment for 7 years, or fine, or both
Criminal intimidation by anonymous communication or having taken precaution to conceal whence the threat comes
Bailable: Bailable (Bail is a legal right — granted at police station)
Cognizable: Non-cognizable (Police cannot arrest without warrant)
Triable by: Magistrate of the first class
Punishment: Imprisonment for 2 years, in addition to the punishment under section 351(1)
📜 Official Statutory Provision
IPC section is included as a sub-section in BNS. “by any means” is added. 351 (2)/ (3) Criminal intimidation punishment. 506 IPC Section is included as a sub-section in BNS sans heading. 351 (4) Criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication. 507 Ditto.