Section 190 IPC: Threat of injury to induce person to refrain from applying for protection to public servant

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 190 IPC at a Glance

Section 190 IPC deals with threat of injury to induce person to refrain from applying for protection to public servant. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 225 BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for up to one year.

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

Section 225 →

Section 190 IPC Bare Act Text

190. Threat of injury to induce person to refrain from applying for protection to public servant

Whoever holds out any threat of injury to any person for the purpose of inducing that person to refrain or desist from making a legal application for protection against any injury to any public servant legally empowered as such to give such protection, or to cause such protection to be given, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.

Source: Section 190, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 190 IPC in Simple Words

Section 190 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes holding out any threat of injury to any person for the purpose of inducing that person to refrain or desist from making a legal application for protection against any injury to a public servant legally empowered as such to give such protection, or to cause such protection to be given.

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to one year, or fine, or both.

The offence is non-cognizable and bailable, and it is triable by any Magistrate.

Ingredients of Section 190 IPC

  • The accused held out a threat of injury to a person
  • The threat was held out for the purpose of inducing that person to refrain or desist from making a legal application
  • The application was for protection against any injury
  • The application was to a public servant legally empowered as such to give that protection, or to cause it to be given

Punishment Under Section 190 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for up to one year.

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 induce a person to refrain from applying for protection to a public servant carries imprisonment for up to one year, or fine, or both.

Example of Section 190 IPC

In 2019 in Mysuru, Deepak learned that his neighbour Harish was preparing a written petition to the local police inspector seeking protection against unlawful eviction and assault. As a police officer, the inspector was a public servant legally empowered to provide such protection or cause it to be given. Wanting to stop Harish from filing that legal application for protection against injury, Deepak warned Harish that his orchard would be burned down if he approached the inspector. Because Deepak held out a threat of injury to induce Harish to refrain from making that application, Deepak is punishable under Section 190 IPC.

When Section 190 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 190 IPC does not apply when a person persuades someone not to file a complaint through polite requests or financial settlement without threatening any harm to person, reputation, or property.
  • Section 190 IPC does not apply when a threat of injury is made out of anger or revenge rather than with the purpose of stopping the victim from making a legal application for protection.
  • Section 190 IPC does not apply when the application that the victim is discouraged from filing seeks a commercial licence or tax refund rather than protection against injury.
  • Section 190 IPC does not apply when the person to whom the victim intended to appeal for protection is a private citizen or an official who lacks legal authority to grant or arrange such protection.

Section 190 IPC in the BNS

Section 190 IPC is now covered under Section 225 BNS.

Section 190 IPC is now Section 225 BNS, with the same title, the same words and the same punishment.

View detailed comparison (IPC 190 vs BNS 225) →

FAQs on Section 190 IPC

What does Section 190 IPC provide?▼

It punishes holding out any threat of injury to any person for the purpose of inducing that person to refrain or desist from making a legal application for protection against any injury to a public servant legally empowered as such to give such protection, or to cause such protection to be given.

What is the punishment under Section 190 IPC?▼

Imprisonment of either description for up to one year, or fine, or both.

How does Section 190 IPC differ from Section 189 IPC?▼

Section 190 IPC punishes a threat of injury held out to induce a person to refrain or desist from making a legal application for protection to a public servant. Section 189 IPC punishes a threat of injury held out to induce a public servant to do or forbear to do an official act.

To whom must the application for protection be made under Section 190 IPC?▼

To a public servant legally empowered as such to give the protection, or to cause it to be given.

Is an offence under Section 190 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼

It is non-cognizable and bailable.

Which court tries an offence under Section 190 IPC?▼

Any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 190 IPC be compounded?▼

No. It is not listed in Section 320 CrPC.

Where is Section 190 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

In Section 225 BNS.

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

Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·