Section 224 BNS: Threat of injury to public servant

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 224 BNS at a Glance

Section 224 BNS deals with threat of injury to public servant. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; it replaced Section 189 IPC on 1 July 2024.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for up to two years.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ
IPC Equivalent

Section 189 →

Section 224 BNS Bare Act Text

224. Threat of injury to public servant

Whoever holds out any threat of injury to any public servant, or to any person in whom he believes that public servant to be interested, for the purpose of inducing that public servant to do any act, or to forbear or delay to do any act, connected with the exercise of the public functions of such public servant, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Source: Section 224, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 224 BNS in Simple Words

Section 224 BNS of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with threats of injury held out to a public servant. The law applies when a person holds out a threat of injury to a public servant, or to any person in whom he believes that public servant to be interested, for the purpose of inducing the public servant to do any act, or to forbear or delay to do any act, connected with the exercise of the public servant's public functions. This provision protects the independence and safety of public servants while they perform official duties. It is not limited to physical injury alone.

The threat is enough if it is held out to pressure the officer in relation to official work. In practice, this section matters in cases involving threats to police officers, revenue officials, magistrates, or other government servants during the discharge of public functions. It helps the State act against intimidation that could interfere with lawful administration.

Ingredients of Section 224 BNS

  • A threat of injury held out by the accused
  • A public servant, or a person in whom the accused believes that public servant to be interested, as the person threatened
  • The purpose of inducing the public servant to do any act, or to forbear or delay to do any act, connected with the exercise of the public functions of that public servant

Punishment Under Section 224 BNS

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for up to two years.

Fine

The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

Holding out a threat of injury to a public servant to induce an act connected with public functions carries imprisonment for up to two years, or fine, or both.

Example of Section 224 BNS

A man tells a municipal clerk that his brother will be hurt unless the clerk delays passing an order that forms part of the clerk's official work. The man says this to make the clerk delay that official act. The clerk is a public servant, the brother is a person in whom the man believes the clerk to be interested, and the threat is held out to induce delay in an act connected with the exercise of the clerk's public functions. The man is liable under Section 224 BNS.

When Section 224 BNS Does Not Apply

  • No threat of injury is held out
  • The threat is not held out to a public servant or to a person in whom the accused believes that public servant to be interested
  • The threat is not held out for the purpose of inducing the public servant to do, forbear or delay an act connected with the exercise of the public functions of that public servant
  • The threat is held out to induce a person to refrain from applying for protection to a public servant, which is punished under Section 225 BNS

Section 224 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)

Section 224 BNS replaces Section 189 IPC from the old criminal code.

Section 189 IPC is now Section 224 BNS, with the same title, the same words and the same punishment.

View IPC Section 189 →

FAQs on Section 224 BNS

What kind of threat is covered under Section 224 BNS?▼

The section covers a threat of injury used to influence a public servant in relation to official work. The threat can be held out to the public servant directly or to a person in whom the offender believes the public servant is interested. The key point is the purpose of inducing the public servant to do, forbear, or delay an act connected with his public functions.

Is actual injury necessary for the offence under Section 224 BNS?▼

No. The offence is complete if a qualifying threat is held out with the required purpose. The law focuses on intimidation, not on whether physical harm actually happens.

Can Section 224 BNS apply to threats made against a police officer?▼

Yes, if the threat is held out to influence the officer in the exercise of public functions. Police officers, magistrates, and other government servants are all covered under this provision. The surrounding facts decide whether the section applies.

Is the offence under Section 224 BNS serious and arrestable?▼

It is a bailable offence and is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to two years, or with fine, or with both. Arrest powers depend on the applicable procedural law and the facts of the case.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·