IPC Section 351
π Text of Section 351 (Simplified):
"An assault is an act which causes another person to apprehend the use of criminal force to them."
β What Does This Mean?
Assault under IPC Section 351 means any action or gesture by one person that makes another person fear or expect that they will be physically harmed.
Important: It does not require actual physical contact or injury.
Itβs enough if the person feels threatened or scared that they might be hit or harmed.
π§ Key Elements:
An act or gesture:
The accused must do something (not just think or speak) that causes fear.
Causing another person to apprehend:
The victim must believe or expect that force or violence will be used on them.
The force to be criminal:
The threat or fear must be of illegal or wrongful force.
β‘ Example:
If a person raises a fist and moves aggressively towards someone, causing that person to fear being hit, it is considered an assault.
But if the person just says, βI will hit you tomorrow,β with no immediate threat or gesture, it might not be assault because thereβs no immediate apprehension.
π Difference Between Assault and Actual Physical Contact:
Assault (Section 351): Threat or fear of force.
Battery or Use of Criminal Force (Section 350): Actual physical force or contact.
π¨ Why is Section 351 Important?
It helps in criminalizing threatening behavior before it escalates to actual violence.
Protects a personβs right to feel safe and secure from immediate threats.
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