Section 224 BNS: Threat of Injury to Public Servant (Formerly Section 189 IPC)

Section 224 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita: Threat of Injury to Public Servant

Official Bare Act Text

Override / Mandate Mens Rea (Intent) Actus Reus (Conduct) Punishment Limitation Monetary

Whoever holds out any threat of injury to any public servant, or to any person in whom he believes that public servant to be interested, for the purpose of inducing that public servant to do any act, or to forbear or delay to do any act, connected with the exercise of the public functions of such public servant, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 224

Section 224 penalises holding out any threat of injury to a public servant, or to any person in whom that public servant is interested, for the purpose of inducing them to do or forbear from doing any official act.

Threat of Injury: Communicating a threat of harm to body, reputation, property, or near relatives.
Targeted Public Servant: Directed against a public servant exercising lawful power.
Unlawful Inducement: Purpose of coercing the public servant to perform an illegal act, show undue favor, or abandon lawful duty.

Key Landmark Precedents:

State of Karnataka v. K.A. Kunchindammed (2002) 9 SCC 90: Held that threatening public servants discharging anti-smuggling duties strikes at governance and constitutes a completed offence even if the officer refuses to succumb.
Kalu Ram v. State of Rajasthan (2000) 10 SCC 324: Stressed that the threat must be real and proximate, calculated to intimidate an officer of ordinary firmness.

Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

Prosecution must prove the specific words used, the occasion, and the official proceeding pending before the officer. Audio-video or CDR records should be certified under Section 63 BSA.

Section 224: Threat of Injury to Public Servant

Section 224 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita: Threat of Injury to Public Servant

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 224