Criminal Intimidation IPC: Section 503 IPC
Section 503 IPC – Criminal Intimidation
Bare Provision
Whoever threatens another with any injury to his person, reputation or property, or to the person or reputation of anyone in whom that person is interested, with intent to cause alarm to that person, or to cause that person to do any act which he is not legally bound to do, or to omit to do any act which that person is legally entitled to do, as the means of avoiding the execution of such threat, commits criminal intimidation.
Essential Ingredients
To constitute Criminal Intimidation, the following must be present:
Threat
– The accused must threaten another person.
– Threat may be verbal, written, or by conduct.
Object of Threat
– Injury to:
Person,
Reputation, or
Property of the victim or someone in whom the victim is interested (like family).
Intention
– To cause alarm to the victim; OR
– To compel the victim to do something he is not legally bound to do; OR
– To omit doing something he is legally entitled to do.
Mens Rea
– The intention to cause fear/alarm is essential.
– Mere abuse or angry words without intention to alarm do not amount to criminal intimidation.
Punishment (Section 506 IPC)
Simple Threat → Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both.
Threat to cause death, grievous hurt, destruction of property by fire, or offence against woman’s modesty/child → Up to 7 years + fine.
Important Points
Even if the person threatened is not alarmed but threat is made with such intention, offence is complete.
Threat can be communicated directly or indirectly.
Silence or conduct may also constitute threat if it creates fear.
Case Laws on Section 503 IPC
1. Romesh Chandra Arora v. State (AIR 1960 SC 154)
Facts: The accused threatened to publish photographs and letters to damage reputation unless money was paid.
Held: Threatening to harm a person’s reputation is covered under Section 503 IPC. This is criminal intimidation.
2. Manik Taneja v. State of Karnataka (2015) 7 SCC 423
Facts: The accused posted comments against police officers on Facebook.
Held: Mere expression of words without intention to cause alarm does not amount to criminal intimidation. Intention is essential.
3. Girdhar Gopal v. State (1953 CriLJ 1922, Allahabad HC)
Facts: Accused threatened to kill the complainant if he pursued a case.
Held: A clear threat to cause death with intention to prevent lawful action amounts to criminal intimidation.
4. State of U.P. v. Nawab Singh (1998 Cri LJ 2037, SC)
Held: Threat need not be carried out; mere giving of threat with intent to cause alarm is enough.
5. Rupan Deol Bajaj v. K.P.S. Gill (1995 SCC (6) 194)
Held: Threats against the modesty/reputation of a woman can amount to criminal intimidation under Section 503 IPC.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Section | 503 IPC |
| Definition | Threatening a person with injury to body, property, or reputation, intending to cause alarm or force action/inaction. |
| Essentials | (1) Threat (2) Injury (person, reputation, property) (3) Intention to alarm/compel (4) Mens rea |
| Punishment | Sec. 506 IPC → Up to 2 years (simple); Up to 7 years (death, grievous hurt, fire, offence against woman/child) |
| Important Point | Actual alarm not necessary – intent to alarm is enough. |
| Key Cases | Romesh Chandra Arora (1960 SC), Manik Taneja (2015 SC), Girdhar Gopal (1953 All HC), Nawab Singh (1998 SC), Rupan Deol Bajaj (1995 SC) |
RELATED Blog
0 comments