Section 506 IPC, Now BNS Section 351: Criminal Intimidation, Punishment and Bail

Criminal intimidation was spread across Sections 503, 506, and 507 IPC. The BNS consolidates them into Section 351, and importantly Section 351(1) now expressly covers threats made by any means, including electronic communication, which the old Section 503 did not spell out.

Criminal intimidation is one of the most commonly added sections in quarrels, and it frequently travels with hurt or assault charges. Where it is tacked on to inflate a family or property dispute, the response is often to seek bail and, in a fit case, a quashing of the FIR.

The punishment depends on the seriousness of the threat, and the classification is where the UP nuance appears.

This UP-specific position is the single most important practical fact. Because a 506 or 351 matter can be treated as cognizable and non-bailable here, do not assume it is a minor bailable case. If arrest is possible, apply early for anticipatory bail. For the meaning of cognizable, bailable, and compoundable, see our legal glossary.

To make out criminal intimidation, the prosecution must prove a threat to a person with injury to their person, reputation, or property, made with intent to cause alarm or to make them do or omit something they are not legally bound to do or omit. The defences are usually factual.

• No intent to cause alarm: Angry words spoken in a quarrel, without a real intention to cause alarm, may not amount to criminal intimidation.
• Vague or general threats: A threat that is vague, conditional, or not directed at a specific injury is often insufficient.
• Counterblast FIR: In cross-cases and family disputes, the section is frequently added to pressure the other side, and the earliest complaint and independent witnesses are examined.
• No evidence of the words used: Where the alleged threat is not supported by any reliable account of what was actually said, the charge weakens.

Where 506 or 351 is added to a hurt case, read this together with our note on Section 323 hurt, since the two are commonly charged together in scuffles and neighbour disputes.

Because of the UP position, handle a criminal intimidation FIR as if arrest is possible.

1. Read the FIR sections. Confirm whether it is 351(2) or the graver 351(3), and what sections travel with it.
2. Move for anticipatory bail given that the offence may be treated as cognizable and non-bailable in UP.
3. Preserve context. Messages, call records, and witnesses that show the quarrel context or absence of a real threat help.
4. Consider compounding. Since the offence is compoundable by the person threatened, a lawful settlement can close the matter.
5. Assess quashing where the section is a clear counterblast with no genuine threat.

Local practice is decisive, and our page for a criminal lawyer in Lucknow explains how we handle criminal intimidation cases in the Lucknow courts. For a specific matter, use the contact page.

Advocate Onkar Pandey (Bar Council of UP enrolment number UP 4825-1999) practises before the Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench, with a focus on criminal defence, criminal intimidation and assault cases, bail, and FIR quashing across Lucknow and the wider Awadh region. He regularly defends clients named in Section 506 IPC and Section 351 BNS FIRs, secures anticipatory bail given the UP position, and settles compoundable matters lawfully.

Chamber A-406, High Court, Lucknow, Awadh Bar, UP 226001. Phone +91 98392 71553. Email advonpandey@gmail.com. This article is general legal information and not a substitute for advice on your specific facts. To discuss a criminal intimidation case, please use the contact page.