Section 351 BNS: Criminal intimidation

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 351 BNS at a Glance

Section 351 BNS deals with criminal intimidation. It replaced Sections 503 and 507 IPC on 1 July 2024.

Punishment

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.

IPC Equivalent

Section 503 →

Section 351 BNS Bare Act Text

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.

(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.

(4) Whoever commits the offence of criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication, or having taken precaution to conceal the name or abode of the person from whom the threat comes, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, in addition to the punishment provided for the offence under sub-section (1).

Source: Section 351, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 351 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)

Section 351 BNS replaced Sections 503 and 507 IPC from 1 July 2024.

Each sub-section below names its own source.

FAQs on Section 351 BNS

What is the main test for criminal intimidation under Section 351(1) BNS?▼

The main test is whether there was a threat of injury to person, reputation, or property intended to cause alarm or to force a person to do something they are not legally bound to do, or stop doing something they are legally entitled to do. The court looks at the words used, the surrounding facts, and the intention behind the threat. Mere anger or rude language is not always enough.

Under Section 351(1) BNS, does a threat on WhatsApp or social media count?▼

Yes, it can. A threat sent by message, email, voice note, or social media post may fall under this section if it is meant to frighten or coerce the recipient. The medium does not matter as much as the content and intention.

Under Section 351(1) BNS, is every threat a criminal offence?▼

No. The law does not punish every harsh statement. There must be a real threat aimed at causing alarm or compelling conduct, not just a stray remark, joke, or ordinary abuse without the required intent.

Can a case under Section 351(1) BNS be compounded?▼

Yes. Criminal intimidation punishable under Section 351(2) or Section 351(3) BNS is compoundable by the person intimidated, without the permission of the court.

What counts as criminal intimidation under Section 351 of the BNS?▼

Criminal intimidation means threatening someone with injury to their person, reputation, or property, or to the person or reputation of someone they care about, to cause alarm. It also covers threats made to force a person to do something they are not legally bound to do, or to stop them from doing something they are legally entitled to do. A threat to harm the reputation of a deceased person can also be covered if the threatened person is interested in that deceased person.

What has to be proved for criminal intimidation under Section 351(2) BNS?▼

It must be shown that there was a threat and that it was made with intent to cause alarm, or to force the person to do or not do something by using that threat. The threat can relate to person, reputation, or property. The section focuses on the intention behind the threat, not just angry or casual words by themselves.

What is the punishment for criminal intimidation under Section 351(2) of the BNS?▼

For criminal intimidation under Section 351(2), the punishment may extend to two years' imprisonment, or fine, or both. If the threat is to cause death or grievous hurt, destroy property by fire, cause a very serious offence, or impute unchastity to a woman, Section 351(3) provides punishment up to seven years, or fine, or both. Anonymous threats or threats sent after concealing identity can attract extra punishment under Section 351(4).

Under Section 351(2) BNS, what should I do if someone is threatening me, or if I am accused of criminal intimidation?▼

If someone is threatening you, keep messages, call records, letters, emails, or details of witnesses because the exact words and context matter. If you are accused, preserve your own messages and any surrounding conversation that shows what was actually said and why. In either situation, get legal advice quickly because the wording of the threat and the intention behind it are central under Section 351 BNS.

What threats are covered under Section 351(3) BNS?▼

Section 351(3) BNS covers a more serious form of criminal intimidation. It applies when the threat is to cause death or grievous hurt, destroy property by fire, cause an offence punishable with death, life imprisonment, or up to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman.

What has to be proved for criminal intimidation under Section 351 BNS?▼

It must be shown that a person threatened another with injury to person, reputation, or property, and did so with intent to cause alarm or to force that person to do something they were not legally bound to do, or stop them from doing something they were legally entitled to do. Section 351(3) BNS applies when the threat is of the aggravated kinds listed in that sub-section.

What is the punishment under Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

The punishment under Section 351(3) BNS may extend to seven years' imprisonment, or fine, or both. This is higher than the general punishment for criminal intimidation under Section 351(2) BNS.

Is every threat criminal intimidation under Section 351 BNS?▼

No. Under Section 351 BNS, the threat must be made with intent to cause alarm, or to make the person do something they are not legally bound to do, or stop doing something they are legally entitled to do. A threat of the more serious kinds listed in Section 351(3) BNS attracts the higher punishment in that sub-section.

What is the difference between Sections 351(2) and (3) BNS and Section 351(4) BNS?▼

Sections 351(2) and 351(3) BNS punish criminal intimidation in general. Section 351(4) BNS applies when the threat is made by an anonymous communication or after taking precaution to conceal the sender's name or abode, adding up to two years' imprisonment on top of the punishment for the intimidation offence.

Can a WhatsApp message or email fall under Section 351(4) BNS?▼

Yes, if the message contains a threat amounting to criminal intimidation and is sent anonymously or after taking precaution to conceal the name or abode of the person from whom the threat comes.

Under Section 351(4) BNS, is it necessary that the victim knows who sent the threat?▼

No. In fact, this section is meant for situations where the threat is sent anonymously or the sender has taken precaution to conceal his name or abode.

What is the punishment under Section 351(4) BNS?▼

The punishment under Section 351(4) BNS is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, in addition to the punishment provided for the offence of criminal intimidation.

Section 351 BNS: Sub-sections Explained

Section 351(1) BNS: Criminal intimidation

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Bare Act Text

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.

Explained in Simple Words

Section 351 BNS of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with criminal intimidation. In simple terms, it applies when a person threatens another with injury to their body, reputation, or property, or to someone in whom that person is interested, with the aim of causing alarm or making the person do something they are not legally bound to do, or stop doing something they are legally entitled to do. The threat may be spoken, written, or conveyed through conduct.

This section is used in many everyday disputes, including family quarrels, business pressure, workplace threats, and online threats. What matters is not only the words used, but also the intention behind them and the effect they are meant to create. A casual insult is not enough.

There must be a real threat intended to frighten or coerce. It is practically significant because police complaints under this section are often filed quickly, and the allegation can affect bail, reputation, and ongoing disputes.

Key Ingredients

  • Threatening another by any means with injury to person, reputation or property
  • Threatening injury to the person or reputation of anyone in whom that person is interested, including a deceased person
  • 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

Punishment

🔒 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.

💰 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.

Section 351(1) BNS is a definition sub-section and carries no punishment of its own. Criminal intimidation is punished under Sections 351(2), 351(3), and 351(4) BNS.

Real-World Example

Zoya has filed a civil suit in Jodhpur against Lakshmi to recover money. Karthik, who is Lakshmi’s brother, tells Zoya that he will burn her scooter unless she withdraws the suit. Karthik has threatened injury to her property with intent to cause her to omit an act she is legally entitled to do, namely to continue her civil suit. That act is criminal intimidation under Section 351(1) BNS, punishable under Section 351(3) BNS.

When This Does Not Apply

  • The words or conduct convey no threat of injury to the person, reputation or property of anyone
  • The accused acted without intent to cause alarm and without intent to compel the doing or omission of any act
  • The act demanded was one which the person was already legally bound to do, or the act omitted was not one which the person was legally entitled to do

Previous Law

IPC 503 → Section 351(1) BNS

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.

Section 351(2) BNS: Criminal intimidation

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Bare Act Text

(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.

Explained in Simple Words

Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sets out the general punishment for committing the offence of criminal intimidation. It applies to any person who commits criminal intimidation as defined in Section 351(1) BNS, where the threat does not fall within the aggravated categories covered separately under Section 351(3) BNS.

Under Section 351(1) BNS, criminal intimidation is committed when a person threatens another by any means with injury to his person, reputation, or property, or to the person or reputation of anyone in whom he is interested, including the reputation of a deceased person in whom he is interested. The threat must be made with intent to cause alarm, or to make the threatened person 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 the execution of the threat.

Whoever commits criminal intimidation punishable under Section 351(2) BNS shall be punished with imprisonment of either description, simple or rigorous, for a term that may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Key Ingredients

  • The accused commits criminal intimidation under Section 351(1) BNS by threatening another person by any means
  • The threat concerns injury to the person, reputation or property of that person, or to the person or reputation of anyone in whom that person is interested
  • The threat is made with intent to cause alarm to that person
  • Or the threat is made with intent to cause that person to do any act he is not legally bound to do, or to omit to do any act he is legally entitled to do, as the means of avoiding the execution of the threat

Punishment

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

🔒 Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years.

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

Committing criminal intimidation is punishable under Section 351(2) BNS with imprisonment of either description for up to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Real-World Example

Near Kochi, Lakshmi told Devendra over WhatsApp that if he gave evidence to the police about Kavita’s land records, she would smash his scooter and spread false statements harming his reputation in their neighbourhood. Devendra was frightened and stayed away from the police station the next day. This fits Section 351(2) BNS because there was a threat of injury to Devendra's property and reputation made with intent to cause alarm and to make him omit an act he was legally entitled to do.

When This Does Not Apply

  • A person angrily abuses another, but makes no threat of injury to person, reputation or property
  • A warning of lawful action, without intent to cause alarm or force an unlawful act or omission
  • A casual or joking statement that does not cause alarm and is not meant to make the person do or omit anything
  • Damage to property is actually carried out, rather than only threatened; that may fall under another offence such as mischief

Section 351(3) BNS: Criminal intimidation

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Bare Act Text

(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.

Explained in Simple Words

Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) prescribes a higher punishment for aggravated forms of criminal intimidation. It applies to any person who commits criminal intimidation, as defined in Section 351(1) BNS, by making one of the serious threats specifically listed in this sub-section.

This sub-section is attracted when 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 a term which may extend to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman. As in all cases of criminal intimidation under Section 351(1) BNS, the threat must be made with intent to cause alarm to the person threatened, or to cause that person to do an act he is not legally bound to do, or omit an act he is legally entitled to do, to avoid the execution of the threat.

Whoever commits criminal intimidation of a kind covered by Section 351(3) BNS shall be punished with imprisonment of either description, simple or rigorous, for a term that may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

Key Ingredients

  • The accused commits criminal intimidation under Section 351(1) BNS by threatening a person by any means
  • The threat concerns injury to person, reputation or property, or to the person or reputation of someone in whom that person is interested
  • The threat is made with intent to cause alarm to that person, or to make that person 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 the execution of the threat
  • For Section 351(3) BNS, 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 up to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman

Punishment

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘCompoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ

🔒 Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.

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

Committing criminal intimidation by threatening death, grievous hurt, destruction of property by fire, an offence punishable with death, life imprisonment, or imprisonment up to seven years, or imputing unchastity to a woman is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

Real-World Example

Near Ludhiana district court, Naveen called Meera after learning that she and her cousin Harpreet were preparing to file a complaint about his forged rent papers. He told Meera that if she went ahead, he would set Harpreet’s scooter shop on fire and would also spread messages saying Meera had an illicit relationship. Meera became frightened and delayed giving papers to her lawyer. This falls within the section because there was a threat by words, aimed at property and reputation, made with intent to cause alarm and to stop Meera from doing something she was legally entitled to do.

When This Does Not Apply

  • A person angrily abuses another, but there is no threat of injury to person, reputation or property
  • A warning of lawful action, like filing a genuine civil case, without intent to cause alarm or force an unlawful act or omission
  • A statement made as a joke or in obvious jest, where there is no intent to cause alarm
  • Damage to property is actually carried out without any prior threatening conduct; that may be another offence, not this section
  • The threat does not involve death, grievous hurt, destruction of property by fire, an offence punishable with death, life imprisonment, or imprisonment up to seven years, or imputing unchastity to a woman

Section 351(4) BNS: Criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication

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Bare Act Text

(4) Whoever commits the offence of criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication, or having taken precaution to conceal the name or abode of the person from whom the threat comes, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, in addition to the punishment provided for the offence under sub-section (1).

Explained in Simple Words

Section 351(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with criminal intimidation committed by an anonymous communication or after taking precaution to conceal the name or abode of the person from whom the threat comes. This is treated more seriously because anonymity or concealment of identity increases fear and makes the threat harder to trace.

In practice, this sub-section applies where threats amounting to criminal intimidation under Section 351(1) BNS are sent through unsigned letters, unidentifiable phone calls, messages, emails, or accounts where the sender has taken steps to hide his name or address. Section 351(4) BNS prescribes imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, in addition to the punishment provided for the offence of criminal intimidation.

Key Ingredients

  • Committing the offence of criminal intimidation under Section 351(1) BNS
  • Making the threat by an anonymous communication, or having taken precaution to conceal the name or abode of the person from whom the threat comes

Punishment

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate First Class ⓘ

🔒 Imprisonment of either description for up to two years, in addition to the punishment provided for the offence under Section 351(1) BNS.

💰 None under this sub-section. The punishment for the underlying offence of criminal intimidation, to which this term is added, may include fine.

Criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication or with concealment of the sender's name or abode is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to two years, in addition to the punishment for criminal intimidation.

Real-World Example

Sanjay sends Rukhsana an unsigned typed letter from another town, so that it cannot be traced to him, warning that her shop in Meerut will be burnt down unless she withdraws a complaint. The threat to destroy property by fire is criminal intimidation, and Sanjay has concealed his name and where the threat originates. Sanjay is punishable under Section 351(3) BNS and, in addition, under Section 351(4) BNS with imprisonment of either description for up to two years.

When This Does Not Apply

  • The communication does not amount to criminal intimidation under Section 351(1) BNS
  • The threat is made openly, without anonymity and without any precaution to conceal the name or abode of the person from whom it comes

Previous Law

IPC 507 → Section 351(4) BNS

Section 507 IPC corresponds to Section 351(4) BNS. The wording and punishment remain identical, with the statutory reference updated from the last preceding section to Section 351(1) BNS.

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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 ·