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Know Your Rights: Top 50 IPC Sections Every Common Man Should Be Aware Of

Published

2 months ago

March 24, 2023

Entrepreneurship Stories

The Indian Penal Code (IPC) is the main criminal code of India. It was enacted in 1860, and since then, it has undergone several amendments to keep up with the changing times. The IPC covers a wide range of criminal offences, from minor offences such as cheating and theft to serious offences such as murder and rape.

As an Indian citizen, it’s essential to be aware of the important Acts of the Indian Penal Code that apply to you. Here are some of the most important ones that every Indian should know:

Section 294 – Obscene acts and songs: This section prohibits the utterance or performance of any obscene act or song in public places. This includes any act or song that is likely to offend the decency or morality of the public.
Section 307 – Attempt to murder: This section deals with attempting to commit murder, which is a serious offence. Attempt to murder is punishable with imprisonment for up to 10 years.
Section 376 – Rape: This section defines rape as a criminal offences and provides for severe punishment for the same. Rape is punishable with imprisonment for a term not less than 10 years and may extend up to life imprisonment.
Section 420 – Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property: This section deals with fraudulent or deceitful practices for obtaining property or money. Cheating is punishable with imprisonment for a term up to 7 years and/or fine.
Section 499 and 500 – Defamation: These sections prohibit the publication of defamatory statements about someone that can harm their reputation. Defamation is punishable with imprisonment for a term up to 2 years and/or fine.
Section 302 – Murder: This section defines murder as a criminal offence and provides for severe punishment for the same. Murder is punishable with imprisonment for life or death penalty.
Section 504 – Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace: This section deals with intentional insults or words that can provoke a breach of peace. This is punishable with imprisonment for up to 2 years and/or fine.
Section 506 – Punishment for criminal intimidation: This section deals with threatening someone with harm to themselves or their property. Criminal intimidation is punishable with imprisonment for up to 2 years and/or fine.
Section 511 – Attempting to commit offences: This section provides for punishment for attempting to commit any offence. Attempt to commit an offense is punishable with imprisonment for a term up to half of the maximum term for the offense.
Section 377 – Unnatural Offences: This section prohibits sexual activities that are considered “unnatural” and provides for punishment for the same. Unnatural offenses are punishable with imprisonment for a term up to 10 years and/or fine.
Section 406 – Criminal Breach of Trust: This section deals with dishonestly misappropriating or using any property entrusted to someone. Criminal breach of trust is punishable with imprisonment for a term up to 7 years and/or fine.
Section 498A – Cruelty by husband or his relatives: This section deals with cruelty by husbands or their relatives towards married women. Cruelty is punishable with imprisonment for up to 3 years and/or fine.
Section 511A – Punishment for attempting to commit an offence punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment: This section provides for punishment for attempting to commit a serious offence that is punishable with imprisonment for life. Attempt to commit such an offense is punishable with imprisonment for up to 7 years and/or fine.
Section 354 – Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty

Other important IPC sections that every common man should be aware of include

Section 34 – Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention
Section 109 – Punishment of abetment if the act abetted is committed in consequence and where no express provision is made for its punishment
Section 120B – Punishment of criminal conspiracy
Section 166A – Public servant disobeying direction under law
Section 186 – Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions
Section 195 – Giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence
Section 201 – Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender
Section 202 – Intentional omission to give information of offence by person bound to inform
Section 212 – Harbouring offender
Section 216A – Penalties for harbouring robbers or dacoits
Section 217 – Public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture
Section 224 – Resistance or obstruction by a person to his lawful apprehension
Section 225 – Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person
Section 307 – Attempt to murder
Section 308 – Attempt to commit culpable homicide
Section 323 – Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt
Section 324 – Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means
Section 325 – Punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt
Section 326 – Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means
Section 327 – Voluntarily causing hurt to extort property, or to constrain to an illegal act
Section 328 – Causing hurt by means of poison, etc., with intent to commit an offence
Section 329 – Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort property, or to constrain to an illegal act
Section 332 – Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty
Section 333 – Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty
Section 335 – Causing grievous hurt on provocation, in order to commit extortion
Section 341 – Punishment for wrongful restraint
Section 342 – Punishment for wrongful confinement
Section 345 – Wrongful confinement of person for whose liberation writ has been issued
Section 346 – Wrongful confinement in secret
Section 347 – Wrongful confinement to extort property or to constrain to an illegal act
Section 354 – Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty
Section 355 – Assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person, otherwise than on grave provocation
Section 357 – Assault or criminal force in attempt to commit theft of property carried by a person
Section 358 – Assault or use of criminal force on grave provocation
Section 361 – Kidnapping from lawful guardianship
Section 362 – Abduction
Section 363 – Kidnapping
Section 364 – Kidnapping or abducting in order to murder
Section 366 – Kidnapping, abducting or inducing woman to compel her marriage, etc.
Section 367 – Kidnapping or abducting in order to subject person to grievous
Section 376 – Punishment for rape
Section 376A – Punishment for causing death or resulting in a persistent vegetative state of the victim of rape
Section 376B – Sexual intercourse by husband upon his wife during separation
Section 377 – Unnatural offences
Section 420 – Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property
Section 427 – Mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees
Section 448 – Punishment for house-trespass
Section 498A – Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty
Section 506 – Punishment for criminal intimidation

being aware of the important IPC sections is essential for every common man in India. It empowers them with the knowledge and understanding of their rights and helps them protect themselves from any potential harm. Knowing these sections can also help individuals recognize when a crime is being committed, and take appropriate actions to safeguard themselves and others. Therefore, it is recommended that every person takes the time to understand the IPC and its various sections, and stay informed about any updates or changes that may occur in the law. Remember, being informed and aware is the first step towards protecting oneself and staying safe in today’s world.