IPC 503→BNS 351(1)

IPC 503 to BNS 351(1): Criminal intimidation

Section 503 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 351(1) BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 503 →View BNS Section 351(1) →

IPC 503 to BNS 351(1) at a Glance

Section 503 IPC (Criminal intimidation) is now Section 351(1) BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 503 to BNS 351(1)?

Section 503 IPC corresponds to Section 351(1) BNS. Section 351(1) BNS adds the words by any means after threatens another. The statutory Explanation and Illustration are retained. Punishment formerly under Section 506 IPC is enacted in Section 351(2) BNS and Section 351(3) BNS.

IPC 503 vs BNS 351(1): Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section503351(1)
OffenceCriminal intimidationSame
PunishmentNone. Section 503 IPC prescribes no punishment: it defines criminal intimidation. Section 506 IPC punishes it with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both. Where the threat is to cause death or grievous hurt, to destroy property by fire, to cause an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life or imprisonment up to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman, Section 506 IPC punishes it with imprisonment of either description up to seven years, or with fine, or with both.None. Section 351(1) BNS prescribes no punishment: it defines criminal intimidation. Section 351(2) BNS punishes it with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both. Where the threat is to cause death or grievous hurt, to destroy property by fire, to cause an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life or imprisonment up to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman, Section 351(3) BNS punishes it with imprisonment of either description up to seven years, or with fine, or with both.
FineNone under this section. Section 506 IPC provides fine in place of or in addition to imprisonment, and sets no limit.None under this sub-section. Sections 351(2) and 351(3) BNS provide fine in place of or in addition to imprisonment, and set no limit.
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame

IPC 503 and BNS 351(1): Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 503, IPC 1860

503. Criminal intimidation.—Whoever threatens another with any injury to his person, reputation or property, or to the person or reputation of any one 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. Explanation.—A threat to injure the reputation of any deceased person in whom the person threatened is interested, is within this section. Illustration A, for the purpose of inducing B to resist from prosecuting a civil suit, threatens to burn B's house. A is guilty of criminal intimidation.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 351(1), BNS 2023

Whoever threatens another by any means, with any injury to his person, reputation or property, or to the person or reputation of any one 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. Explanation.—A threat to injure the reputation of any deceased person in whom the person threatened is interested, is within this section. Illustration. A, for the purpose of inducing B to resist from prosecuting a civil suit, threatens to burn B’s house. A is guilty of criminal intimidation.

Ingredients: IPC 503 vs BNS 351(1)

Under IPC 503
  1. Threatening another person with injury to his person, reputation or property, or to the person or reputation of anyone in whom that person is interested
  2. Intent to cause alarm to that person, or to cause that person to do an act he is not legally bound to do, or to omit to do an act which that person is legally entitled to do, as the means of avoiding the execution of such threat
Under BNS 351(1)
  1. Threatening another by any means with injury to person, reputation or property
  2. Threatening injury to the person or reputation of anyone in whom that person is interested, including a deceased person
  3. Intent to cause alarm, or to compel the doing of an act not legally bound to be done, or the omission of an act legally entitled to be done

What IPC 503 to BNS 351(1) Means for Pending Cases

For Section 503 IPC (now Section 351(1) BNS): under Section 351(1) BNS, criminal intimidation covers a threat made by any means.

FAQs: IPC 503 to BNS 351(1)

What changed in the definition of criminal intimidation when Section 503 IPC became Section 351(1) BNS?▼

Section 351(1) BNS adds the words by any means after threatens another, making explicit that threats made by any medium are included.

Where does Section 503 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 351(1) BNS, in Chapter XIX, Of Criminal Intimidation, Insult, Annoyance, Defamation, etc.

Does Section 503 IPC or Section 351(1) BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 503 IPC. Section 358 BNS repealed the IPC from 1 July 2024 but saves any liability already incurred under it, so an act done before that date is still dealt with under Section 503 IPC. Section 351(1) BNS governs acts done on or after 1 July 2024.

Disclaimer: This comparison is for informational purposes only. The new criminal laws came into effect on 1 July 2024. Consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·