Section 329 IPC: Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort property, or to constrain to an illegal act
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 329 IPC at a Glance
Section 329 IPC deals with voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort property, or to constrain to an illegal act. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by the Court of Session; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 119(2) BNS.
Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Section 329 IPC Bare Act Text
329. Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort property, or to constrain to an illegal act
Whoever voluntarily causes grievous hurt for the purpose of extorting from the sufferer or from any person interested in the sufferer any property or valuable security, or of constraining the sufferer or any person interested in such sufferer to do anything that is illegal or which may facilitate the commission of an offence, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Source: Section 329, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 329 IPC in Simple Words
Section 329 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes voluntarily causing grievous hurt for the purpose of extorting property or valuable security, or of constraining a person to do anything that is illegal or which may facilitate the commission of an offence. The property may be extorted from, or the constraint applied to, the sufferer or any person interested in the sufferer.
The punishment is imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and the offender is also liable to fine. The offence is cognizable, non-bailable, and triable by the Court of Session.
Ingredients of Section 329 IPC
- The accused voluntarily caused grievous hurt to any person
- The grievous hurt was caused for the purpose of extorting any property or valuable security from the sufferer or from any person interested in the sufferer
- Or the grievous hurt was caused for the purpose of constraining the sufferer or any person interested in the sufferer to do anything that is illegal or which may facilitate the commission of an offence
Punishment Under Section 329 IPC
Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
The offender is also liable to fine in addition to imprisonment.
Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort property or to constrain to an illegal act carries imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description up to ten years, and liability to fine. The offence is cognizable, non-bailable, triable by the Court of Session, and not compoundable.
Example of Section 329 IPC
When Section 329 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 329 IPC does not apply when the injury voluntarily inflicted by the accused is only simple hurt and does not amount to grievous hurt, in which case Section 327 IPC applies.
- Section 329 IPC does not apply when grievous hurt is caused without any purpose of extorting property or valuable security from the sufferer or any person interested in the sufferer.
- Section 329 IPC does not apply when grievous hurt is caused without any purpose of constraining the sufferer or an interested person to do something illegal or to facilitate the commission of an offence.
Section 329 IPC in the BNS
Section 329 IPC is now covered under Section 119(2) BNS.
Section 329 IPC is succeeded by Section 119(2) BNS. Section 119(2) BNS consolidates offences of causing hurt to extort property, placing grievous hurt in sub-section 2. Rather than reciting the extortion and constraint limbs at length, Section 119(2) BNS incorporates them by referring to any purpose referred to in sub-section 1. The punishment remains unchanged, providing for imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and liability to fine.
View detailed comparison (IPC 329 vs BNS 119(2)) →FAQs on Section 329 IPC
What offence is punished under Section 329 IPC?▼
Section 329 IPC punishes voluntarily causing grievous hurt for the purpose of extorting property or valuable security, or constraining the victim or an interested person to do an illegal act or facilitate an offence.
What punishment is prescribed under Section 329 IPC?▼
The punishment is imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and liability to fine.
How does Section 329 IPC differ from Section 327 IPC?▼
Section 327 IPC deals with simple hurt caused for extortion or constraint, whereas Section 329 IPC punishes grievous hurt caused for those purposes and carries potential life imprisonment.
Can Section 329 IPC apply if the demand is directed at a relative of the injured person?▼
Yes, Section 329 IPC expressly includes extortion or constraint directed towards the sufferer or any person interested in the sufferer.
Is Section 329 IPC bailable or non-bailable?▼
Under the First Schedule to the CrPC, Section 329 IPC is non-bailable, meaning bail cannot be claimed as a matter of right.
Is Section 329 IPC a cognizable offence?▼
Yes, Section 329 IPC is classified as cognizable under the First Schedule to the CrPC.
Which court conducts trials under Section 329 IPC?▼
Cases under Section 329 IPC are triable by the Court of Session.
Can an offence under Section 329 IPC be compounded?▼
No, Section 329 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·