Section 343 IPC: Wrongful confinement for three or more days

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 343 IPC at a Glance

Section 343 IPC deals with wrongful confinement for three or more days. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 127(3) BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or fine, or both.

Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘCompoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

BNS Equivalent

Section 127(3) →

Section 343 IPC Bare Act Text

343. Wrongful confinement for three or more days
Whoever wrongfully confines any person for three days, or more, 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 343, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 343 IPC in Simple Words

Section 343 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes wrongful confinement that continues for three days, or more.

Whoever wrongfully confines any person for three days, or more, is punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

The offence is cognizable, bailable, triable by any Magistrate, and compoundable under Section 320(1) CrPC without the permission of the court by the person confined.

Ingredients of Section 343 IPC

The accused wrongfully confined any person within the meaning of Section 340 IPC
The wrongful confinement continued for three days, or more

Punishment Under Section 343 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or fine, or both.

Fine

Fine with no fixed limit, alone or with imprisonment.

Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘCompoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

Wrongful confinement for three or more days is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Example of Section 343 IPC

In April 2015, at a brick kiln compound in Nashik, contractor Vikram quarreled with lorry driver Manohar over an unreturned freight advance. Vikram forced Manohar into an empty concrete tool shed, fastened the outer hasp, and kept him shut inside from Tuesday morning until Saturday evening. Throughout those four days, Manohar was wrongfully restrained so as to prevent him from proceeding in any direction beyond the circumscribing walls of the shed. Because he wrongfully confined Manohar for three days or more, Vikram is punishable under Section 343 IPC.

When Section 343 IPC Does Not Apply

Section 343 IPC does not apply when the wrongful confinement ends before three full days have elapsed.
Section 343 IPC does not apply when the person is only obstructed in one direction without being confined within circumscribing limits.
Section 343 IPC does not apply when the person stays within the premises voluntarily rather than under wrongful restraint.
Section 343 IPC does not apply when the detention for three or more days is carried out under lawful authority.

Section 343 IPC in the BNS

Section 343 IPC is now covered under Section 127(3) BNS.

Section 343 IPC is succeeded by Section 127(3) BNS. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, wrongful confinement provisions are consolidated into Section 127(3) BNS, with wrongful confinement for three days or more enacted in sub-section 3. The maximum term of imprisonment of either description increases from two years under Section 343 IPC to three years under Section 127(3) BNS. Furthermore, Section 127(3) BNS specifies a fine ceiling of ten thousand rupees, whereas Section 343 IPC set no maximum fine figure.

View detailed comparison (IPC 343 vs BNS 127(3)) →

FAQs on Section 343 IPC

What punishment does Section 343 IPC prescribe?▼

Section 343 IPC provides that the offender shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term extending up to two years, or with fine, or with both.

What is the minimum duration of confinement required under Section 343 IPC?▼

The prosecution must prove that the wrongful confinement lasted for three days, or more.

Is an offence under Section 343 IPC bailable?▼

Yes, an offence under Section 343 IPC is classified as cognizable and bailable under the First Schedule to the CrPC.

Which court tries an offence under Section 343 IPC?▼

An offence under Section 343 IPC is triable by any Magistrate.

Is Section 343 IPC compoundable?▼

Yes, Section 343 IPC is compoundable under Section 320(1) CrPC without the permission of the court by the person confined.

Under Section 343 IPC, what happens if the confinement continues for ten days or longer?▼

When wrongful confinement extends to ten days or more, Section 344 IPC applies with an enhanced maximum punishment of three years imprisonment, and the offender shall also be liable to fine.

How does Section 343 IPC differ from Section 342 IPC?▼

Section 342 IPC punishes basic wrongful confinement for any period up to one year imprisonment, whereas Section 343 IPC specifically addresses confinement lasting three days or more with enhanced punishment up to two years.

What is the corresponding provision for Section 343 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

Section 343 IPC corresponds to Section 127(3) BNS, which increases the maximum imprisonment to three years and specifies a fine up to ten thousand rupees.

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