SECTION 506

What is Criminal Intimidation? 

This Kanooni Dhara is defined under Section 503 of the IPC as

A person commits the offence of criminal intimidation if he : 

1. Threatens anyone with an injury to him or his reputation or property or to anyone else in relation to that person. 

2. With an intention to cause fear to that person

                           Or

To cause that person to do any act which he is not legally bound to do 

                           Or

Punishment: Any person liable for an offence under this section shall be punished with imprison­ment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both. 

A punishment of imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years or with fine or with both is given under this offence if:

1. The threat is to cause death or grievous hurt

                           Or

2. To cause the destruction of any property by fire

                           Or

3. To cause an offence which is punishable with death or imprisonment for life or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years

                           Or

4. To impute ( i.e. attribute) unchastity to a woman 

Example: Sanjay for the purpose of persuading Heena to refrain from filing a civil suit, threatens to kill her husband, here Sanjay has criminally intimidated Heena and will be liable for punishment under this section and since he has threatened to cause death, he will be liable for  a punishment of imprisonment which may extend to seven years instead of two or fine or both . 

Composition under section 320 Cr.P.C: This section is listed under Compoundable Offences i.e. compromise or settlement can be entered into by the parties