IPC 331 vs BNS 331
● Retained in BNSVoluntarily Causing Grievous Hurt to Extort Property, or to Compel to an Illegal Act (with Attempt to Murder)
Section 331 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, addresses cases where a person voluntarily causes grievous hurt to another with intent to extort property, valuable security, or compel the victim to commit an illegal act, and the act also involves an attempt to murder.
Key points:
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The injury caused must be grievous hurt, as defined under IPC 320.
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The intent must involve either extortion, coercion, or compelling an illegal act, with murderous intent.
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Punishment: Imprisonment for life or up to 10 years, and also liable to fine.
For example, if a person seriously injures someone by stabbing them to force the victim to hand over property, even without causing death, it falls under IPC 331. This section ensures strict penalties for combining serious harm with criminal intent and coercion.
Voluntarily Causing Grievous Hurt to Extort Property, or to Compel to an Illegal Act (with Attempt to Murder)
Section 331 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, mirrors IPC 331. It punishes individuals who voluntarily cause grievous hurt to extort property, valuable security, or compel someone into an illegal act, while also attempting murder.
Key points:
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Covers grievous injuries inflicted with criminal intent.
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Punishment: Imprisonment for life or up to 10 years, and also liable to fine.
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Protects individuals from violent coercion combined with intent to kill.
For instance, an assailant stabbing a victim to force them to hand over cash or property qualifies under BNS 331. The section ensures continuity of strict legal deterrence against coercion with serious bodily harm and murderous intent.
What changed?
This provision was carried over to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita with substantially the same wording — the section was renumbered from IPC IPC 331 to BNS BNS 331.