Home  /  Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita  /  Section 225

Section 225: Threat of Injury to Induce Person to Refrain from Applying Protection

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita • Chapter XI: Of Offences by or Relating to Public Servants • Official Statutory Text & Legal Guide

Chapter XI: Of Offences by or Relating to Public Servants
Any Magistrate
Bailable
Non-Cognizable
Formerly Sec 190 IPC
Section 224 All 358 Sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 226

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 225

Section 225 punishes holding out any threat of injury to induce any person to refrain from applying for protection to any public servant legally empowered to grant that protection.

  • Threat of Injury: Intimidating a citizen with threats of violence, social boycott, or property damage.
  • Specific Purpose: Intended to dissuade or prevent the victim from seeking police protection, judicial relief, or administrative intervention.
  • Direct Victimisation: Interferes with the constitutional and statutory right to seek state protection.
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • Zahira Habibulla H. Sheikh v. State of Gujarat (2004) 4 SCC 158: The Supreme Court underscored that threatening victims and witnesses to deter them from seeking state protection or testifying strikes at the core of the rule of law.
  • Mahender Chawla v. Union of India (2019) 14 SCC 615: Reaffirmed the Witness Protection Scheme and held that intimidation aimed at deterring victims from reporting offences warrants stringent penal punishment.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

Pair charges under Section 225 with applications for witness protection and bail cancellation under Section 480 BNSS against the accused.

Section 224 All 358 Sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 226