BNS Section 351
What punishment does the law prescribe for threatening someone with injury or property damage?
Short answer
The offence is punishable with up to two years’ imprisonment or a fine, and higher penalties if the threat is severe or anonymous.
In detail
Under Section 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, anyone who threatens another person—by any means—to cause injury to the person’s body, reputation, or property, or to a person the victim cares about, with the aim of creating alarm or forcing the victim to act against the law, commits criminal intimidation. The basic penalty is imprisonment for a term that may extend to two years, a fine, or both. If the threat involves death, serious bodily harm, fire‑related destruction, or an offence punishable with death or life imprisonment, the maximum imprisonment rises to seven years, again with a fine or both. When the threat is made anonymously or the sender hides their identity, an additional imprisonment of up to two years is added to the punishment already prescribed. The law also covers threats to damage the reputation of a deceased person the victim cares about.
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
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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.