Extortion
Section 383 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 deals with extortion. Whoever intentionally puts any person in fear of any injury to that person, or to any other, and thereby dishonestly induces the person so put in fear to deliver to any person any property, or valuable security or anything signed or sealed which may be converted into a valuable security, commits "ex The Act came into force on 01 Jan 1862. Repealed by section 358 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023) with effect from 1 July 2024, but conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under it.
Whoever intentionally puts any person in fear of any injury to that person, or to any other, and thereby dishonestly induces the person so put in fear to deliver to any person any property, or valuable security or anything signed or sealed which may be converted into a valuable security, commits "extortion".
Illustrations
(a) A threatens to publish a defamatory libel concerning Z unless Z gives him money. He thus induces Z to give him money. A has committed extortion.
(b) A threatens Z that he will keep Z's child in worngful confinement, unless Z will sign and deliver to A a promissory note binding Z to pay certain monies to A to Z sings and delivers the note. A has committed extortion.
(c) A threatens to send club-men to plough up Z's field unless Z will sign and deliver to B a bond binding Z under a penalty to deliver certain produce to B, and thereby induces Z to sign and deliver the bond. A has committed extortion.
(d) A, by putting Z in fear of grievous hurt, dishonestly induces Z to sign or affix his seal to a blank paper and deliver it to A. Z sings and delivers the paper to A. Here, as the paper so signed may be converted into a valuable security A has committed extortion.
Section 383, The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Act 45 of 1860).
Now in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
BNS 308 Extortion Text carried over almost unchanged 87%
Measured by comparing the text of the two provisions, not taken from an official correspondence table — there is no machine-readable one. See both texts side by side before relying on it.
Both regimes are live. The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force. We never redirect one to the other.
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Dnyaneshwar Sitaram Karale vs State Of Mah.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
When a person intentionally puts another person in fear of injury to reputation through threat of publishing defamatory content and dishonestly induces that person to deliver money or valuable security, the offense of extortion under Section 385 IPC is constituted. The term 'injury' in Section 383 IPC extends to injury to reputation and mind, not merely physical injury. The offense is complete even if the property is not actually transferred, as Section 385 applies to attempt to commit extortion. Defects in charge regarding non-specification of exact date and time do not vitiate conviction if they do not cause prejudice to the accused. Delay in lodging FIR is not fatal if it is explained and unavoidable. The misuse of press freedom and RTI Act to blackmail public servants is a serious antisocial offense that undermines democracy and the ability of public servants to discharge their duties.
On this section: Definition of extortion - intentionally putting person in fear of injury and dishonestly inducing delivery of property or valuable security
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Suman M.patil vs The Bombay Mun.corpn. and Anr.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
An employee who abandons duties following a transfer order and remains continuously absent for more than five years, despite multiple recall notices and opportunities to resume work, cannot challenge the termination of service on grounds of alleged harassment if she fails to provide satisfactory explanation for her absence and non-compliance with recall orders. The employer's provision of multiple opportunities to resume duties, including a final opportunity with specific deadline, constitutes adequate procedural fairness, and the termination is justified under the applicable service rules.
On this section: Cited in context of theft charges against the petitioner; petitioner contended she was falsely implicated under this section
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 383
What have the courts held on Section 383 of the Indian Penal Code?
Dnyaneshwar Sitaram Karale vs State Of Mah. (30 Sep 2024) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Definition of extortion - intentionally putting person in fear of injury and dishonestly inducing delivery of property or valuable security. Another 1 judgment on this section is set out below. They run from 2009 to 2024.
How do I find court cases under Section 383 of the Indian Penal Code?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: IPC 383, section 383 IPC, section 383 of the Indian Penal Code. People searching for it also type ipc 383 in bns and ipc 383 punishment. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 2 reported judgments on this section are set out on this page, beginning with Dnyaneshwar Sitaram Karale vs State Of Mah. (30 Sep 2024).
What should I read with Section 383 of the Indian Penal Code, and has it changed?
For anything done on or after 1 July 2024 the provision to read is BNS 308 (Extortion), which replaced it; conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under this section.
When did Section 383 of the Indian Penal Code come into force?
Section 383 of the Indian Penal Code, cited as IPC 383, came into force on 01 Jan 1862, having been enacted on 06 Oct 1860. It is no longer in force.
Other sections of this Act
- 499. Defamation1512 words
- 464. Making a false document1223 words
- 300. Murder1172 words
- 378. Theft980 words
- 108. Abettor745 words
- 403. Dishonest misappropriation of property727 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Recovered from the consolidated text published by India Code (item 7b7d4fe6-206b-4e33-81f1-b98b018acaf6). This page is not a substitute for legal advice.