Section 503: Criminal Intimidation (आपराधिक धमकी) Whoever threatens another with any injury (चोट) to his person, reputation (प्रतिष्ठा), or property (संपत्ति), with intent to cause alarm (चिंता) to that person or to cause that person to do any act which he is not legally bound to do, as a means of avoiding the execution of such threat, commits criminal intimidation.
Explanation: A threat to injure the reputation of any person by an imputation (आरोप) of an offense is also criminal intimidation, if the threat is made with intent to cause alarm or to induce compliance (अनुपालन) with the threat.
Section 504: Intentional Insult with Intent to Provoke Breach of the Peace (शांति भंग के इरादे से जानबूझकर अपमान) Whoever intentionally insults (अपमान) any person, intending to provoke (उत्तेजित) that person to break the public peace (सार्वजनिक शांति), or knowing that it is likely to provoke such person, shall be punished with imprisonment (कैद) of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine (जुर्माना), or with both.
Section 505: Statements Conducive to Public Mischief (जनता को नुकसान पहुँचाने वाले बयान) (1) Whoever makes, publishes, or circulates any statement, rumor (अफवाह), or report: (a) with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear (डर) or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public, whereby any person may be induced to commit an offense (अपराध) against the state or the public tranquility (सार्वजनिक शांति); (b) with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, the public to believe or suspect (संदेह) that any person has committed an offense punishable with imprisonment for life or any lesser punishment; (c) with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, a breach (उल्लंघन) of public peace or an offense against the public tranquility, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
(2) If the statement is made with the intent to incite (उकसाना) any class or community to commit an offense against any other class or community, the punishment may extend to seven years of imprisonment and a fine.
Section 506: Punishment for Criminal Intimidation (आपराधिक धमकी के लिए दंड) (1) Whoever commits criminal intimidation shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
(2) If the threat be to cause death (मृत्यु) or grievous hurt (गंभीर चोट), or to cause the destruction of any property by fire, the offender shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Section 507: Criminal Intimidation by an Anonymous Communication (अनाम संचार द्वारा आपराधिक धमकी) Whoever commits the offense of criminal intimidation by an anonymous (गुमनाम) communication or by means of a communication which cannot be traced, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Section 508: Act Causing Danger to Life or Personal Safety of Another Person (जीवन या व्यक्तिगत सुरक्षा को खतरा पहुँचाने वाले कृत्य) Whoever does any act causing danger to the life, limb (अंग), or personal safety (व्यक्तिगत सुरक्षा) of another person, with the intent to cause harm, or to intimidate, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Section 509: Word, Gesture, or Act Intended to Insult the Modesty of a Woman (महिला की शील का अपमान करने वाला शब्द, इशारा या कृत्य) Whoever, intending to insult the modesty (शील) of a woman, utters any word, makes any sound, or gestures, or exhibits any object, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
Section 510: Public Nuisance (सार्वजनिक उपद्रव) Whoever commits any act which constitutes a public nuisance (सार्वजनिक उपद्रव) and is likely to annoy (परेशान) or inconvenience (असुविधा) the public, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
Case Law: State of Maharashtra v. Mohd. Yakub (1971 AIR 530, 1971 SCR (1) 651)
Case Summary:
Facts (तथ्य): In this case, the accused (आरोपी) was found in possession (स्वामित्व) of stolen goods (चोरी की गई वस्तुएं) and had made attempts (प्रयास) to sell them. The prosecution (अभियोजन) argued that the accused was guilty of an attempt (प्रयास) to commit theft (चोरी).
Judgment (निर्णय): The Supreme Court (सुप्रीम कोर्ट) held that the accused could be convicted (दोषी ठहराया जा सकता है) under Section 511 of the IPC for attempting (प्रयास) to commit an offense (अपराध) even though the theft was not completed (पूरा नहीं हुआ). The Court emphasized that an attempt (प्रयास) is an act (क्रियावली) done with the intention (इरादा) to commit a crime (अपराध), which goes beyond mere preparation (तैयारी) but does not necessarily have to result in the completion (पूर्णता) of the offense.
Importance (महत्व): This case is significant as it clarifies that for a conviction (दोष सिद्धि) under Section 511, it is essential to prove that the accused had the intention (इरादा) to commit the crime and had taken substantial steps (महत्वपूर्ण कदम) towards its commission, even if the crime was not ultimately completed. The ruling reinforces that the nature (प्रकृति) of the attempt and the progress (प्रगति) made towards committing the offense are critical factors in determining guilt (दोष) under this provision.
A leading case law relevant to Criminal Intimidation, Insult, and Annoyance under IPC Sections 503-510 is "State of Haryana v. Ratan Singh" (2002 SCC (Cri) 1126).
Case Law: State of Haryana v. Ratan Singh (2002 SCC (Cri) 1126)
Case Summary:
Facts (तथ्य): In this case, the accused, Ratan Singh, was charged under Section 506 (Criminal Intimidation) for threatening to kill the complainant, which led to considerable fear and distress. The threats made by the accused were intended to intimidate (डराना) and coerce (जबरदस्ती) the complainant.
Judgment (निर्णय): The Supreme Court (सुप्रीम कोर्ट) held that the evidence (प्रमाण) of the threats made by the accused was sufficient to establish criminal intimidation (आपराधिक धमकी) under Section 506. The Court emphasized that the intention (इरादा) to intimidate and the resulting fear (डर) in the complainant were crucial factors. It was determined that even if the threat had not been carried out, the act of threatening itself constituted an offense under Section 506, as it had the potential to cause significant harm and anxiety (चिंता).
Importance (महत्व): This case is significant as it underscores that criminal intimidation (आपराधिक धमकी) does not require the actual commission of the threatened act. The mere act of threatening, with intent to cause fear or alarm (चिंता), is sufficient to constitute an offense under Section 506 of the IPC. The ruling highlights that the impact of the threat on the victim and the accused's intent are critical for establishing guilt (दोष) under this section.
The case illustrates the application of Section 506 in real scenarios and reinforces the legal understanding of criminal intimidation, emphasizing that the nature and impact of the threat are central to the offense.
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