Side-by-Side Comparison

503 vs 351

The transition of laws against threats and coercion from IPC to BNS Section 351, unified and preserved.

What Changed?

IPC used 503 for definition and 506 for punishment; BNS merges these into 351.

The two-tiered punishment structure (2 years for general, 7 years for death threats) is maintained.

The core definition of causing alarm remains unchanged.

Verdict

"Standardisation of the threat-based offence into a unified BNS section."

Detailed Analysis

OLD LAW (IPC)

503

Act of 1860

Criminal intimidation

Whoever threatens another with any injury to his person, reputation or property, or to the person or reputation of any one in whom that person is interested, with intent to cause alarm to that person, or to cause that person to do any act which he is not legally bound to do, or to omit to do any act which that person is legally entitled to do, as the means of avoiding the execution of such threat, commits 'criminal intimidation'.

PunishmentSee Section 506

REFORM

NEW LAW (BNS)

351

Act of 2024

Criminal intimidation

Whoever threatens another with any injury to his person, reputation or property, or to the person or reputation or property of any one in whom that person is interested, with intent to cause alarm to that person, or to cause that person to do any act which he is not legally bound to do, or to omit to do any act which that person is legally entitled to do, as the means of avoiding the execution of such threat, commits criminal intimidation.

Punishment2 to 7 years + Fine

1860

503 Origin

2024

351 Reform

Legal Implications

Section 351 of BNS maintains the IPC's approach to criminal intimidation. It punishes those who threaten others with injury to person, reputation, or property. The section continues to differentiate between general threats (2 years) and severe threats like death or arson (7 years).

Practical Scenarios

"Threatening to leak private data to extort money (BNS 351)."

"Threatening to burn a person's property during a dispute (BNS 351 - up to 7 years)."

Expert Q&A

Is a verbal threat enough for a BNS 351 charge?

Yes, provided the threat is made with the intent to cause alarm or to force the person to act against their will.

What is the difference between Part 1 and Part 2 of Section 506/BNS 351?

Part 1 (ordinary threats — up to 2 years, Bailable): any ordinary injury threat. Part 2 (aggravated threats — up to 7 years, Non-Bailable): threats of death, grievous hurt, arson, imputing unchastity to a woman, or offences punishable with death or life.

Is Section 506 different across Indian states?

Yes — a critical practical trap. In UP and Uttarakhand, state notifications have made Section 506 Part 1 (ordinary threats) Cognizable and Non-Bailable — unlike its national Non-Cognizable Bailable status. Always check the specific state's notification.

Are WhatsApp threats criminal intimidation?

Yes — threats via WhatsApp, SMS, email, or any digital platform constitute criminal intimidation under Section 503/506/BNS 351. Anonymous digital threats additionally attract Section 507 (extra 2-year penalty for anonymous criminal intimidation).

Related IPC Sections

506 : Punishment for Criminal Intimi...

Related BNS Sections

352 : Intentional Insult...353 : Public Mischief / Fake News...

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