BNS Section 135
What punishment does the law give for trying to lock someone up using force?
Short answer
The offender can be sentenced to up to one year in jail, a fine up to ₹5,000, or both.
In detail
Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, if a person assaults another or uses any criminal force with the intention of confining that person against their will, the law treats this as a punishable offence. "Criminal force" means any physical force used illegally, and "wrongful confinement" refers to trying to keep someone in a place without their consent. The statute provides three options for punishment: a term of imprisonment that may last up to one year, a monetary fine that may be as high as five thousand rupees, or a combination of both. The court can decide which of these penalties to apply based on the circumstances of the case. This provision aims to deter people from using violence to restrict another's freedom and ensures that victims have legal protection against such attempts.
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 considered criminal force under this Act?
- Does the law treat attempted confinement differently from actual confinement?
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.