SECTION 503

Heading of the Section: Criminal Intimidation

Overview: This section talks about an act of threat by one person to another to injure his body, reputation or property. The section also covers threatening another person so that the other perform such act which is illegal in nature.

Aim of this Section: Maintenance of peace and order is essential in any society for humans to live peacefully and without fear of injury to lives, limbs and property.

Scope of this Section: The scope of this section is very wide. It also covers the reputation of a deceased person. If a threat to lower the reputation of a deceased person is made to a person who is an interested party to the deceased person, then that is also covered under this section.

Punishment for Criminal Intimidation under Section 503 IPC: Section 503 of IPC provides for punishment for Criminal Intimidation. For the act of Criminal Intimidation to cause death or grievous hurt, or destruction to property- Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both; if threat be to cause death or grievous hurt, etc. And if the threat be to cause death or grievous hurt, or to cause the destruction of any property by fire, or to cause an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life. For the act of Criminal Intimidation to impute, unchastity to women - Imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or to impute, unchastity to a woman, shall be punished with imprison­ment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

Illustrations:

1. Anil, for the purpose of inducing Bilal to desist from prosecuting a civil suit, threatens to burn Bilal's house. Anil is guilty of criminal intimidation.

2. Mukul tells Anuja to give him Rs. 10 Lakh, otherwise he will spread false rumours about her in her college. Mukul’s act is an act of criminal intimidation.