Section 503 IPC: Criminal intimidation
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 503 IPC at a Glance
Section 503 IPC deals with criminal intimidation. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 351(1) BNS.
None. Section 503 IPC prescribes no punishment: it defines criminal intimidation. Section 506 IPC 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 506 IPC punishes it with imprisonment of either description up to seven years, or with fine, or with both.
Section 503 IPC Bare Act Text
503. Criminal intimidation
Whoever threatens another 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.
ExplanationA threat to injure the reputation of any deceased person in whom the person threatened is interested, is within this section.
IllustrationA, 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.
Source: Section 503, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 503 IPC in Simple Words
Section 503 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines criminal intimidation. It is threatening another with injury to his person, reputation or property, or to the person or reputation of anyone in whom he is interested, with intent to cause him alarm, or to make him do an act he is not legally bound to do, or leave undone an act he is legally entitled to do, as the means of avoiding the threat.
A threat to injure the reputation of a deceased person in whom he is interested is included. The section prescribes no punishment.
Ingredients of Section 503 IPC
- Threatening another person with injury to his person, reputation or property, or to the person or reputation of anyone in whom that person is interested
- Intent to cause alarm to that person, or to cause that person to do an act he is not legally bound to do, or to omit to do an act which that person is legally entitled to do, as the means of avoiding the execution of such threat
Punishment Under Section 503 IPC
None. Section 503 IPC prescribes no punishment: it defines criminal intimidation. Section 506 IPC 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 506 IPC punishes it with imprisonment of either description up to seven years, or with fine, or with both.
None under this section. Section 506 IPC provides fine in place of or in addition to imprisonment, and sets no limit.
Section 503 IPC is a definition section and carries no punishment of its own. Criminal intimidation is punished under Section 506 IPC.
Example of Section 503 IPC
When Section 503 IPC Does Not Apply
- The accused did not threaten any injury to the complainant's person, reputation, or property, or to the person or reputation of anyone in whom the complainant is interested.
- The threat was made without any intent to cause alarm or to force the person threatened to perform or abstain from any act.
- The demand accompanying the threat only required the person to perform an act that he was already legally bound to do, or to refrain from an act that he was not legally entitled to do.
Section 503 IPC in the BNS
Section 503 IPC is now covered under 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.
View detailed comparison (IPC 503 vs BNS 351(1)) →FAQs on Section 503 IPC
What does Section 503 IPC define?▼
It defines criminal intimidation: threatening another with injury to person, reputation or property, or to anyone in whom that person is interested, intending to cause alarm, or to compel doing an act not legally bound to be done or omitting an act legally entitled to be done.
What is the punishment for criminal intimidation defined in Section 503 IPC?▼
Section 503 IPC contains no punishment because it is a definition section. Punishment is provided under Section 506 IPC: imprisonment up to two years, or fine, or both, and up to seven years for aggravated threats.
Under Section 503 IPC, can threatening a deceased person amount to criminal intimidation?▼
Yes. Under the Explanation, a threat to injure the reputation of any deceased person in whom the person threatened is interested falls within Section 503 IPC.
Is criminal intimidation defined under Section 503 IPC bailable and cognizable?▼
Section 503 IPC has no First Schedule entry. The punishing section, Section 506 IPC, is non-cognizable and bailable.
Where is Section 503 IPC placed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
It is placed in Section 351(1) BNS, which adds the words by any means while retaining the Explanation and Illustration.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·