IPC Section 329: Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort property, or to constrain to an illegal act
Whoever voluntarily causes grievous hurt for the purpose of extorting from the sufferer or from any person interested in the sufferer any property or valuable security, or of constraining the sufferer or any person interested in such sufferer to do anything that is illegal or which may facilitate the commission of an offence, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
IPC Section 329: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 329 of the Indian Penal Code deals with the offence of “voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort property, or to constrain to an illegal act.” This section is applied when an individual inflicts severe physical harm on another person with the intent to extort money or property or to compel the victim or any other person to commit an illegal act or refrain from doing something they are legally entitled to do.
Key elements of this section include:
- Voluntarily Causing Grievous Hurt: The person must intentionally or knowingly cause severe physical pain or injury classified as grievous hurt under IPC Section 320.
- Purpose of Extortion or Coercion: The grievous hurt is caused by extorting money or valuable property or compelling someone to perform or abstain from performing an act, particularly if the act is illegal.
Is IPC Section 329 Bailable?
IPC Section 329 is a non-bailable offence. Due to the severity of the actions involving grievous harm with intent to extort or coerce, the accused must appear before a court to seek bail.
IPC Section 329 Punishment
The Punishment under IPC Section 329 for voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort or coerce includes:
- Imprisonment for life or
- Imprisonment for a term that may extend to ten years,
- And also liable to a fine.
The severity of the Punishment reflects the serious nature of combining grievous physical harm with extortion or coercion.
Example of IPC Section 329
A real-life example of IPC Section 329 occurred when a gang kidnapped a wealthy businessman and inflicted severe torture, including breaking his limbs, to force his family to pay a large ransom. The businessman sustained multiple fractures and permanent injuries due to the brutality. After his rescue by law enforcement, the gang members were charged under IPC Section 329 for voluntarily causing grievous hurt with the intent to extort money. This case highlighted the legal system’s stringent measures against such violent and coercive acts and the protection it offers to victims of extortion involving grievous harm.
