BNS Section 127
What punishment can someone face for wrongfully confining another person?
Short answer
They can be jailed up to five years and fined at least ten thousand rupees, depending on how long the confinement lasts and other aggravating factors.
In detail
Wrongful confinement means keeping someone in a place where they cannot leave beyond a set boundary, like a walled area or a building with armed guards. The law says that if a person does this, they can be punished with jail time and a fine. The longer the confinement, the harsher the penalty. For example, if the confinement lasts three to ten days, the offender may face up to three years in prison and a fine up to ten thousand rupees. If it lasts ten days or more, the jail term can go up to five years and the fine must be at least ten thousand rupees. The law also adds extra jail time if the person was kept against a court order or if the confinement was hidden from authorities. In addition, if the confinement is used to extort money, property, or information, the offender can also get up to three years in prison and a fine.
Related questions
What actions are defined as 'hurt' under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?
Hurt means causing bodily pain, disease, or infirmity to any person.
Can a husband be forced to financially support his wife, children, or parents if he refuses?
Yes, a magistrate can order him to pay a monthly allowance and enforce it with fines or up to one month in jail.
If I accidentally hurt a consenting adult during a game, can I be criminally liable?
No, you are not criminally liable if the act was not intended to cause death or serious injury and the adult gave consent.
Can I defend myself even if it might harm a child nearby?
Yes, the law permits you to use private defence even if it risks harming an innocent person during a deadly assault.
People also ask
- What is the difference in punishment for confinement of 2 days vs 4 days?
- Can a person be fined even if they didn't keep someone for more than a day?
- What happens if the confinement is for more than 10 days?
Not legal advice. This is general legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case turns on its own facts — speak to a lawyer about your situation.