IPC Section 366
Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 366:
Full Text of IPC Section 366:
“Kidnapping, abducting or inducing woman to compel her marriage, etc.”
Whoever by force compels or by any deceitful means induces any woman —
(a) to go from any place with intent that she may be, or knowing that it is likely that she will be, forced or seduced to marry any person against her will, or
(b) to be forced or seduced to illicit intercourse with any person,shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
⚖️ Breaking down IPC Section 366:
Who is the offender?
A person who forces or deceives a woman in certain ways.
What acts are covered?
Kidnapping or abducting a woman by force or deceit.
Inducing a woman to leave any place (like her home) for specific wrongful purposes.
What wrongful purposes?
To force or seduce her to marry any person against her will (i.e., a forced marriage or a deceitful marriage).
To force or seduce her to illicit intercourse (i.e., sexual intercourse outside lawful consent or marriage).
Punishment:
Imprisonment (either rigorous or simple) up to 10 years.
Also liable to pay a fine.
📌 Key Terms:
Kidnapping or abducting: Taking or enticing someone away illegally.
By force: Using physical power or threats.
Deceitful means: Using fraud, lies, or trickery.
Against her will: Without her consent.
Illicit intercourse: Sexual relations outside lawful consent or marriage.
Marriage: A formal union; here, forced or deceitful marriage.
⚠️ Important aspects:
The law protects a woman’s freedom of choice in marriage and sexual relations.
It criminalizes both physical force and deceptive inducement to take her away for these purposes.
This section is mainly used when the woman is abducted or enticed with the intent to force her into marriage or illicit sexual relations.
The punishment is serious (up to 10 years imprisonment), showing how grave the offense is considered.
🔍 Example Scenarios:
A man kidnaps a woman by force and tries to marry her without her consent.
A man lies to a woman to convince her to come with him, intending to make her marry or have illicit relations.
A person abducts a woman intending to force her into prostitution (covered under other sections, but Section 366 covers the initial act of kidnapping for illicit purposes).
📚 Related Sections:
Section 362 IPC — Kidnapping
Section 363 IPC — Punishment for kidnapping
Section 366A IPC — Procuration of minor girl (sex trafficking)
Section 375 IPC — Rape
Section 376 IPC — Punishment for rape
📝 Summary Table:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Section | 366 |
| Offense | Kidnapping or inducing a woman by force or deceit to marry or illicit intercourse |
| Punishment | Imprisonment up to 10 years + fine |
| Nature of imprisonment | Rigorous or simple |
| Who is protected? | Women (specifically) |
| Intent required | To force or seduce marriage or illicit intercourse |
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