Section 357 IPC: Assault or criminal force in attempt wrongfully to confine a person

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 357 IPC at a Glance

Section 357 IPC deals with assault or criminal force in attempt wrongfully to confine a person. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 135 BNS.

Punishment

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

Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘCompoundable (with court permission) ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

BNS Equivalent

Section 135 →

Section 357 IPC Bare Act Text

357. Assault or criminal force in attempt wrongfully to confine a person
Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any person, in attempting wrongfully to confine that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

Source: Section 357, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 357 IPC in Simple Words

Section 357 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes any person who assaults or uses criminal force to another person in attempting wrongfully to confine that person. Wrongful confinement means wrongfully restraining a person so as to prevent that person from proceeding beyond certain circumscribing limits.

The offence does not require the confinement to be completed; using assault or criminal force in the attempt is sufficient. The punishment under Section 357 IPC is imprisonment of either description for a term extending up to one year, or with fine extending up to one thousand rupees, or with both.

The offence is cognizable, bailable, triable by any Magistrate, and compoundable under Section 320(2) CrPC with the permission of the court by the person assaulted or subjected to force.

Ingredients of Section 357 IPC

The accused attempted wrongfully to confine a person within circumscribing limits
The accused assaulted or used criminal force to that person in the course of that attempt
The confinement attempted would have kept that person from going beyond certain circumscribing limits

Punishment Under Section 357 IPC

Imprisonment

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

Fine

Fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, alone or with imprisonment.

Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘCompoundable (with court permission) ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

Assault or criminal force in attempting wrongfully to confine a person is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to one year, or with fine of up to one thousand rupees, or with both.

Example of Section 357 IPC

In December 2021, at a warehouse courtyard in Vadodara, Sameer tried to lock delivery driver Tarun inside a walled compound after an argument over an invoice. As Tarun walked toward the iron gate to leave, Sameer grabbed Tarun by his jacket and dragged him backward in an attempt to shut the gate and keep him inside the compound. Other workers intervened and Tarun walked out. Because Sameer used criminal force to a person in attempting wrongfully to confine him, Sameer is punishable under Section 357 IPC.

When Section 357 IPC Does Not Apply

Section 357 IPC does not apply when the accused neither commits an assault nor uses criminal force against the person.
Section 357 IPC does not apply when the assault or criminal force is used without any attempt to wrongfully confine the person.
Section 357 IPC does not apply when the attempted restraint only blocks movement in one direction rather than confining the person within circumscribing limits.

Section 357 IPC in the BNS

Section 357 IPC is now covered under Section 135 BNS.

Section 357 IPC is succeeded by Section 135 BNS. The maximum fine is increased from one thousand rupees under the IPC to five thousand rupees under the BNS. The term of imprisonment of either description extending up to one year, the essential legal ingredients, and the heading phrasing remain identical in substance, with the BNS heading reading attempt to wrongfully confine instead of attempt wrongfully to confine.

View detailed comparison (IPC 357 vs BNS 135) →

FAQs on Section 357 IPC

What conduct does Section 357 IPC penalise?▼

Section 357 IPC penalises anyone who assaults or uses criminal force to any person in attempting wrongfully to confine that person.

What is the punishment prescribed under Section 357 IPC?▼

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

Does Section 357 IPC require that the victim was actually confined?▼

No; using assault or criminal force in attempting the wrongful confinement completes the offence, regardless of whether the confinement succeeded.

How does Section 357 IPC differ from Section 342 IPC?▼

Section 357 IPC punishes the use of assault or force in attempting wrongful confinement, whereas Section 342 IPC punishes the completed act of wrongful confinement.

Is Section 357 IPC bailable and cognizable?▼

Under the First Schedule to the CrPC, Section 357 IPC is cognizable and bailable.

Which court conducts trials for Section 357 IPC?▼

Any Magistrate is empowered to try an offence under Section 357 IPC.

Can an offence under Section 357 IPC be compounded?▼

Yes; under Section 320(2) CrPC, the offence may be compounded with the permission of the court by the person assaulted or to whom force was used.

Which section in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita corresponds to Section 357 IPC?▼

In Section 135 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 ·