IPC Section 341, Whoever wrongfully restrains any person shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.
Meaning
Section 341 of the Indian Penal Code provides punishment for wrongful restraint which is defined under Section 339 IPC. Wrongful restraint is the unlawful prevention of a person from moving in the direction in which they have a legal right to move. For example, if a person obstructs the path of another, or confines their ability to move only in that direction without any legal justification that circumstance is quite clearly wrongful restraint.
Punishment
- Simple Imprisonment for a term that may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to ₹500 or both.
Example
For example, if A intentionally stands at the doorway of B’s house and prevents B from moving unless they have lawful reason, then A would be committing wrongful restraint.
The law also recognizes that freedom of movement is a fundamental right we are afforded and therefore the law also punishes those who unlawfully disrupt this right to promote personal liberty. While this offence is relatively minor in context it is necessary to ensure that the rights of individuals are not improperly restricted.