IPC 506 to BNS 351(2) and 351(3): Punishment for criminal intimidation

Section 506 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 351(2) and 351(3) BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 506 →View BNS Section 351(2) and 351(3) →

IPC 506 to BNS 351(2) and 351(3) at a Glance

Section 506 IPC (Punishment for criminal intimidation) is now Section 351(2) and 351(3) BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNS it is bailable and non-cognizable. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 506 to BNS 351(2) and 351(3)?

Section 506 IPC corresponds to Section 351(2) BNS and Section 351(3) BNS. The basic punishment is placed in the second sub-section, and the aggravated punishment for graver threats is placed in the third sub-section. The punishments remain unchanged.

IPC 506 vs BNS 351(2) and 351(3): Comparison Table

Aspect	IPC 1860 (repealed)	BNS 2023 (in force)
Section	506	351(2) and 351(3)
Offence	Punishment for criminal intimidation	Same
Punishment	Imprisonment of either description for up to two years under the basic part. Imprisonment of either description for up to seven years where the threat is to cause death or grievous hurt, to cause the destruction of any property by fire, to cause an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for up to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman.	Imprisonment of either description for up to two years under Section 351(2) BNS. Imprisonment of either description for up to seven years under Section 351(3) BNS where the threat is to cause death or grievous hurt, to cause the destruction of any property by fire, to cause an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for up to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman.
Fine	Fine in place of imprisonment, or both, under both parts. The section sets no limit.	Fine in place of imprisonment, or both, under both Section 351(2) and Section 351(3) BNS. The section sets no limit.
Bail	Bailable	Same
Cognizance	Non-Cognizable	Same
Compoundable	Compoundable	Same
Triable By	Any Magistrate or Magistrate First Class	Same

IPC 506 and BNS 351(2) and 351(3): Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 506, IPC 1860

506. Punishment for criminal intimidation.—Whoever commits the offence of criminal intimidation shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both; If threat be to cause death or grievous hurt, etc.—and if the threat be to cause death or grievous hurt, or to cause the destruction of any property by fire, or to cause an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 351(2) and 351(3), BNS 2023

(2) Whoever commits the offence of criminal intimidation shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both. (3) Whoever commits the offence of criminal intimidation by threatening to cause death or grievous hurt, or to cause the destruction of any property by fire, or to cause an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

Ingredients: IPC 506 vs BNS 351(2) and 351(3)

Under IPC 506

Committing criminal intimidation as Section 503 IPC defines it, by threatening another with injury to person, reputation or property, or to person or reputation of anyone in whom he is interested
Communicating the threat with intent to cause alarm to that person, or to compel him to do an act he is not legally bound to do, or omit an act he is legally entitled to do, as the means of avoiding execution of the threat
For the higher punishment, threatening death, grievous hurt, destruction of property by fire, an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life or imprisonment for up to seven years, or imputing unchastity to a woman

Under BNS 351(2) and 351(3)

Committing criminal intimidation under Section 351(1) BNS by threatening another with injury
For basic punishment under Section 351(2) BNS, communicating any threat to person, reputation or property
For aggravated punishment under Section 351(3) BNS, a threat to cause death or grievous hurt, to destroy property by fire, to cause an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment up to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman

What IPC 506 to BNS 351(2) and 351(3) Means for Pending Cases

For Section 506 IPC (now Section 351(2) and 351(3) BNS): under Section 351(2) BNS and Section 351(3) BNS, the punishment structure for criminal intimidation remains identical, with simple and aggravated intimidation split into distinct statutory sub-sections.

FAQs: IPC 506 to BNS 351(2) and 351(3)

What changed when Section 506 IPC became Sections 351(2) and 351(3) BNS?▼

Section 506 IPC is divided into Section 351(2) BNS and Section 351(3) BNS. The second sub-section covers basic criminal intimidation and the third sub-section covers aggravated threats, keeping the punishments unchanged.

Where does Section 506 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 351(2) BNS and Section 351(3) BNS, in Chapter XIX, Of Criminal Intimidation, Insult, Annoyance, Defamation, etc.

Does Section 506 IPC or Sections 351(2) and 351(3) BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 506 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 506 IPC. Sections 351(2) and 351(3) 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 ·