Pankajnath Tiwari :-
The Indian Penal Code (IPC) is the main criminal code of India. It was enacted in 1860 and is applicable throughout the country. The IPC defines various crimes and prescribes punishments for them. The Indian police use the IPC as a primary reference for dealing with criminal offenses. Here are some important sections of the IPC frequently referred to by the Indian police:
Section 302: This section deals with the crime of murder and prescribes punishment, which may include the death penalty or life imprisonment.
Section 376: This section deals with the crime of rape and provides for punishment, including imprisonment for a term not less than seven years, which may extend to life imprisonment.
Section 420: This section deals with the offense of cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property. It prescribes punishment, which may include imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 354: This section deals with the offense of assault or criminal force on a woman with an intent to outrage her modesty. It provides for punishment, which may include imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 498A: This section deals with the offense of cruelty towards a married woman by her husband or his relatives. It prescribes punishment, including imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 377: This section deals with the offense of unnatural offenses, including consensual homosexual activities. However, please note that this section was decriminalized by the Supreme Court of India in 2018.
Section 504: This section deals with the offense of intentional insult with an intent to provoke breach of peace. It prescribes punishment, which may include imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 509: This section deals with the offense of word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman. It provides for punishment, which may include imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 307: This section deals with the offense of attempt to murder and provides for punishment, which may include imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 376A: This section deals with the offense of rape, which includes causing death or causing the victim to be in a persistent vegetative state. It prescribes punishment, including rigorous imprisonment for a term not less than 20 years, which may extend to life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Section 354A: This section deals with the offense of sexual harassment and inappropriate physical contact with a woman. It provides for punishment, including imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 395: This section deals with the offense of dacoity, which refers to a group of people committing robbery with arms. It prescribes punishment, which may include imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 406: This section deals with the offense of criminal breach of trust, where a person entrusted with property misappropriates or breaches that trust. It provides for punishment, including imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 420A: This section deals with the offense of cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property by electronic means. It prescribes punishment, including imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 504A: This section deals with the offense of intentional insult with an intent to breach the peace through social media or any other online platform. It provides for punishment, which may include imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 498B: This section deals with the offense of dowry harassment, where a woman is subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or his relatives in connection with dowry demands. It prescribes punishment, including imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 509A: This section deals with the offense of sexually colored remarks, gestures, or acts that are derogatory or offensive to a woman. It provides for punishment, including imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 323: This section deals with the offense of voluntarily causing hurt to someone. It provides for punishment, which may include imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 354D: This section deals with the offense of stalking, where a person repeatedly follows, contacts, or monitors someone, causing fear or distress. It prescribes punishment, including imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 498: This section deals with the offense of enticing or taking away a married woman with criminal intent. It provides for punishment, which may include imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 363: This section deals with the offense of kidnapping, where a person unlawfully takes another person against their will. It prescribes punishment, including imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 376C: This section deals with the offense of sexual intercourse by a person in authority, such as a public servant, with a woman in their custody. It provides for punishment, including imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 411: This section deals with the offense of dishonestly receiving stolen property, knowing that it has been obtained unlawfully. It prescribes punishment, including imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 504B: This section deals with the offense of intentional insult with an intent to provoke breach of peace through any means of communication. It provides for punishment, which may include imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 505: This section deals with the offense of making statements, rumors, or reports with an intent to incite public mischief or create fear or alarm among the public. It prescribes punishment, including imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 427: This section deals with the offense of mischief, causing damage to property. It provides for punishment, which may include imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 304: This section deals with the offense of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. It provides for punishment, which may include imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 307A: This section deals with the offense of attempt to murder by causing grievous hurt. It prescribes punishment, including imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 379: This section deals with the offense of theft, where a person dishonestly takes another person’s movable property without their consent. It provides for punishment, which may include imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 504C: This section deals with the offense of intentional insult or intimidation to provoke a breach of peace through any electronic communication. It provides for punishment, which may include imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 406A: This section deals with the offense of the non-return of a dowry. If a person fails to return the dowry received by them, it may lead to punishment, including imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 504D: This section deals with the offense of sending offensive messages through communication services. It provides for punishment, which may include imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 354B: This section deals with the offense of assault or use of criminal force on a woman with the intent to disrobe her. It prescribes punishment, which may include imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 498C: This section deals with the offense of cruelty by a husband or his relatives towards a woman. It prescribes punishment, including imprisonment and/or a fine.
Section 420B: This section deals with the offense of identity theft, where a person fraudulently uses another person’s identity. It provides for punishment, which may include imprisonment and/or a fine.
