IPC 257 vs BNS 257
● Retained in BNSCausing fear of injury to commit mischief
Section 257 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, deals with acts where a person causes fear of injury to commit mischief or damage property. It focuses on intimidation or threats used to damage someone else’s property or coerce action, protecting property owners from coercive conduct.
Key points:
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Punishment: Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both.
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Applies when a person uses threats or fear to induce mischief or property damage.
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Ensures protection of property and deterrence against intimidation or coercion.
For example, threatening someone with harm to force them to damage a neighbor’s property falls under IPC 257. The law holds the perpetrator accountable for causing fear to commit wrongful acts, maintaining public order and property safety.
Causing fear of injury to commit mischief
Section 257 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, mirrors IPC 257. It criminalizes acts causing fear of injury to commit mischief, maintaining the same scope, intent, and punishment as IPC 257.
Key aspects of BNS 257:
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Punishment: Up to 2 years imprisonment, or fine, or both, same as IPC 257.
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Covers acts where a person intentionally causes fear to induce property damage or wrongful acts.
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Focuses on protecting property and deterring coercive acts that could lead to mischief.
BNS 257 ensures that fear-inducing acts intended to commit mischief are punishable, consistent with IPC 257, safeguarding property and public order.
What changed?
This provision was carried over to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita with substantially the same wording — the section was renumbered from IPC IPC 257 to BNS BNS 257.