IPC Section 384
IPC Section 384 – Punishment for extortion
Section 384 IPC deals with extortion, i.e., dishonestly obtaining property from someone by putting them in fear of injury.
Key Points:
Who is liable?
Any person who dishonestly induces someone to deliver property.
The inducement must involve fear, such as:
Fear of death or grievous hurt
Fear of criminal accusation
Fear of harm to reputation or property
Nature of the offence
This is the general extortion offence.
Unlike theft, the property is obtained with the victim’s consent, but under fear or coercion.
Punishment
Imprisonment up to 3 years, or
Fine, or
Both.
Key ingredients
Dishonest intention to obtain property.
Threat or fear created in the victim.
Delivery of property by the victim under that fear.
Examples
A person tells someone:
“Give me your wallet, or I will beat you.”
Punishable under Sec. 384 IPC.
Threatening to damage someone’s property unless they pay money.
Again, this is extortion under this section.
Relationship with Other Sections
Section 383 IPC → Defines extortion (basic definition).
Section 384 IPC → Punishment for extortion under general circumstances.
Section 389 IPC → Punishment for extortion by threatening false accusation.
So, Section 384 is the general punishment section for extortion, while 389 is a special case involving threats of criminal accusation.
Conclusion
Section 384 IPC punishes anyone who dishonestly obtains property by putting someone in fear, with imprisonment up to 3 years, fine, or both.
Focus: Extortion through threats or fear (not theft or robbery).
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