IPC Section 506
IPC Section 506 – Punishment for Criminal Intimidation
This section deals with the punishment for the offence of criminal intimidation defined under Section 503 IPC.
Meaning of Criminal Intimidation (Section 503 IPC in short):
A person is said to commit criminal intimidation if:
He threatens another person with injury to life, body, reputation, or property,
With the intention to cause alarm, OR
To make the person do something he is not legally bound to do, OR not do something he is legally entitled to do.
Section 506 – Punishment
Simple Criminal Intimidation:
Whoever commits criminal intimidation shall be punished with:
Imprisonment up to 2 years, or
Fine, or
Both.
Aggravated Criminal Intimidation:
If the threat is of:
Death,
Grievous hurt,
Destruction of property by fire, OR
An offence punishable with death or life imprisonment,
Then punishment shall be:
Imprisonment up to 7 years, and
Fine.
Key Points to Understand:
Even a verbal threat can be considered criminal intimidation if it causes genuine fear.
Actual harm is not necessary; intention + causing alarm is enough.
The offence under Section 506 is cognizable (in some states by notification), non-bailable, and compoundable (with court’s permission).
Examples:
Simple Case:
A says to B: “If you don’t give me your phone, I’ll beat you.”
This is criminal intimidation. Punishment: up to 2 years.
Aggravated Case:
A threatens B: “If you testify in court against me, I will kill you.”
This is a serious threat (death). Punishment: up to 7 years + fine.
✅ In summary:
Section 506 IPC punishes threats meant to create fear or force someone to act against their will.
Normal threats → up to 2 years.
Threats of death, grievous hurt, fire, or serious crimes → up to 7 years + fine.
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