Section 506 IPC: Punishment for criminal intimidation
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 506 IPC at a Glance
Section 506 IPC deals with punishment for criminal intimidation. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate or Magistrate First Class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 351(2) and 351(3) BNS.
Imprisonment of either description for up to two years under the basic part. Imprisonment of either description for up to seven years where the threat is to cause death or grievous hurt, to cause the destruction of any property by fire, to cause an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for up to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman.
Section 506 IPC Bare Act Text
506. Punishment for criminal intimidation
Whoever commits the offence of criminal intimidation shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both;
If threat be to cause death or grievous hurt, etc.—and if the threat be to cause death or grievous hurt, or to cause the destruction of any property by fire, or to cause an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.
Source: Section 506, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 506 IPC in Simple Words
Section 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes criminal intimidation, which Section 503 IPC defines, with imprisonment of either description for up to two years, or fine, or both.
Where the threat is to cause death or grievous hurt, to cause the destruction of any property by fire, to cause an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for up to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman, the punishment rises to imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, or fine, or both.
Ingredients of Section 506 IPC
- Committing criminal intimidation as Section 503 IPC defines it, by threatening another with injury to person, reputation or property, or to person or reputation of anyone in whom he is interested
- Communicating the threat with intent to cause alarm to that person, or to compel him to do an act he is not legally bound to do, or omit an act he is legally entitled to do, as the means of avoiding execution of the threat
- For the higher punishment, threatening death, grievous hurt, destruction of property by fire, an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life or imprisonment for up to seven years, or imputing unchastity to a woman
Punishment Under Section 506 IPC
Imprisonment of either description for up to two years under the basic part. Imprisonment of either description for up to seven years where the threat is to cause death or grievous hurt, to cause the destruction of any property by fire, to cause an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for up to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman.
Fine in place of imprisonment, or both, under both parts. The section sets no limit.
The First Schedule gives this section two entries: both are non-cognizable and bailable, but simple criminal intimidation is triable by any Magistrate while aggravated threats are triable by a Magistrate of the first class.
- Triable by: Magistrate of the first class where the threat is to cause death or grievous hurt, to cause the destruction of any property by fire, to cause an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for up to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman. Any Magistrate in any other case.
Criminal intimidation is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to two years, or fine, or both, and for up to seven years, or fine, or both, for the graver threats the section lists. Both limbs are non-cognizable and bailable, and the person intimidated may compound the offence without permission of the court. Any Magistrate tries the basic offence, and a Magistrate of the first class tries the graver offence.
Example of Section 506 IPC
When Section 506 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 506 IPC does not apply when the speaker makes no threat of injury to the body, reputation, or property of the listener or of anyone in whom the listener is interested.
- Section 506 IPC does not apply when words are spoken without any intention to cause alarm or to force the other person to perform an act he is not legally bound to perform or abstain from an act he is legally entitled to perform.
- The enhanced seven-year punishment under the second part of Section 506 IPC does not apply when the threat does not involve death, grievous hurt, destruction of property by fire, an offence punishable with death, life imprisonment, or seven years' imprisonment, or an imputation of unchastity to a woman.
Section 506 IPC in the BNS
Section 506 IPC is now covered under Section 351(2) and 351(3) BNS.
Section 506 IPC corresponds to Section 351(2) BNS and Section 351(3) BNS. The basic punishment is placed in the second sub-section, and the aggravated punishment for graver threats is placed in the third sub-section. The punishments remain unchanged.
View detailed comparison (IPC 506 vs BNS 351(2) and 351(3)) →FAQs on Section 506 IPC
What does Section 506 IPC punish?▼
It punishes the offence of criminal intimidation with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both, and provides enhanced imprisonment extending to seven years, or fine, or both, where the threat is of a kind the second part of the section lists.
Which threats attract the higher punishment under Section 506 IPC?▼
A threat to cause death or grievous hurt, to cause the destruction of any property by fire, to cause an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman.
Is Section 506 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼
Both parts of Section 506 IPC are bailable, and both parts are non-cognizable under the First Schedule to the CrPC.
Which court tries an offence under Section 506 IPC?▼
Any Magistrate tries the basic offence of criminal intimidation. A Magistrate of the first class tries the aggravated offence where the threat is to cause death, grievous hurt, destruction of property by fire, or the other serious consequences specified in the section.
Can an offence under Section 506 IPC be compounded?▼
Yes. Under Section 320(1) CrPC, both the basic and aggravated forms of criminal intimidation under Section 506 IPC may be compounded by the person intimidated without requiring the permission of the court.
Where is Section 506 IPC placed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
It corresponds to Section 351(2) BNS and Section 351(3) BNS, with the second sub-section providing the basic punishment and the third sub-section prescribing the enhanced punishment.
Have questions about Section 506 IPC?
Ask NyayGuru for a plain language explanation, punishment details, or how it applies to your situation.
Ask NyayGuru →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 ·