PAKISTAN PENAL CODE, 1860

SELECTED SECTIONS — ACADEMIC NOTES

Sections: 141–149 | 182 | 191–194 | 295–298C | 402A–C | 405–409 | 415–420 | 425–440 | 441, 447–449, 451–453 | 463–468 | 489F
| 493–498 | 498A–C | 499–502A | 503–510 | 511

CHAPTER I — OF UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY & RIOTING (Sections 141–149)

Section 141 — Unlawful Assembly

An assembly of five or more persons is an unlawful assembly if their common object is:

1. To overawe by criminal force any Government, Legislature, or public servant in exercise of lawful power;

2. To resist execution of any law or legal process;

3. To commit any mischief, criminal trespass, or other offence;

4. By criminal force, to take/obtain possession of property, or deprive any person of an incorporeal right;

5. By criminal force, to compel any person to do or omit what they are legally entitled/bound to do/omit.

■ An assembly lawful at first may subsequently become unlawful.

Section 142 — Being Member of Unlawful Assembly

Whoever, being aware of facts rendering an assembly unlawful, intentionally joins or continues in it is a
member of an unlawful assembly.

Section 143 — Punishment for Membership of Unlawful Assembly

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 6 months, or fine, or both.

Section 144 — Joining Unlawful Assembly Armed with Deadly Weapon

Whoever, being armed with any deadly weapon (or anything likely to cause death if used as a weapon), is a
member of an unlawful assembly.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Section 145 — Joining/Continuing in Unlawful Assembly After Command to Disperse

Whoever joins or continues in an unlawful assembly knowing it has been lawfully commanded to disperse.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Section 146 — Rioting

Whenever force or violence is used by an unlawful assembly (or any member thereof) in prosecution of the
common object of such assembly, every member is guilty of rioting.
 Section 147 — Punishment for Rioting
■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Section 148 — Rioting Armed with Deadly Weapon

Rioting while armed with a deadly weapon or anything likely to cause death.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 3 years, or fine, or both.

Section 149 — Constructive Liability — Every Member Guilty of Offence in Prosecution of

Common Object
If an offence is committed by any member of an unlawful assembly in prosecution of the common object, or
which members knew was likely to be committed, every person who is a member at the time of commission is
guilty of that offence.

■ Key Legal Principle: Section 149 creates vicarious/constructive liability. It does not create a new offence but fixes shared
guilt. Two limbs: (1) offence committed in prosecution of common object; (2) offence likely to be committed as known to
members.

CHAPTER II — FALSE INFORMATION TO PUBLIC SERVANT (Section

182)

Section 182 — False Information with Intent to Cause Public Servant to Use Lawful Power
Injuriously
Whoever gives to any public servant information which he knows or believes to be false, intending thereby to
cause such public servant to:

(a) Do or omit anything he ought not to do/omit if the true facts were known; OR

(b) Use his lawful power to the injury or annoyance of any person.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 6 months, or fine up to Rs. 3,000, or both.

■ Example: A falsely informs a Magistrate that Z (a police officer) has been guilty of misconduct — knowing it to be false —
is guilty under this section.

CHAPTER III — OF FALSE EVIDENCE & FABRICATION (Sections

191–194)

Section 191 — Giving False Evidence

Whoever, being legally bound by oath or express provision of law to state the truth, or bound to make a
declaration, makes any statement which is false and which he knows or believes to be false (or does not believe
to be true) is said to give false evidence.

■ Explanation 1: A statement may be verbal or otherwise. Explanation 2: A false statement as to one's belief is also
covered — e.g., stating you believe something you do not.
 Section 192 — Fabricating False Evidence
Whoever causes any circumstance to exist, or makes a false entry in any book/record, or makes a document
containing a false statement, intending that such circumstance/entry/statement may appear in evidence in a
judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding to cause any person to form an erroneous opinion on a material point, is
said to fabricate false evidence.

■ Difference from S.191: S.191 = false testimony; S.192 = manufacturing/planting false evidence.

Section 193 — Punishment for False Evidence

Two tiers of punishment:

• In judicial proceedings: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years + fine.

• In any other case: Imprisonment up to 3 years + fine.

■ A trial before a Court-martial is a judicial proceeding. Preliminary investigation directed by law is also a 'stage of judicial
proceeding' under Explanation 2.

Section 194 — False Evidence to Procure Conviction of Capital Offence

Whoever gives or fabricates false evidence intending to cause conviction for a capital offence.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment for life OR rigorous imprisonment up to 10 years + fine.

Aggravated form: If an innocent person is thereby convicted and executed — punishment is death or the
above punishment.

CHAPTER IV — OFFENCES RELATING TO RELIGION (Sections

295–298C)

Section 295 — Injuring or Defiling Place of Worship

Whoever destroys, damages, or defiles any place of worship or sacred object with intention to insult the
religion of any class, or knowing that any class is likely to consider it an insult.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Section 295-A — Deliberate/Malicious Acts to Outrage Religious Feelings

Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging religious feelings of any class of citizens, by
words (spoken or written) or visible representations insults the religion or religious beliefs of that class.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 10 years, or fine, or both.

Section 295-B — Defiling the Holy Qur'an

Whoever wilfully defiles, damages, or desecrates a copy of the Holy Qur'an or any extract therefrom, or uses
it in any derogatory manner or for any unlawful purpose.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment for life.

Section 295-C — Derogatory Remarks Regarding the Holy Prophet ■

Whoever by words (spoken or written), visible representation, imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or
indirectly defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ■.

■ Punishment: Death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.
■ Section 295-C is a non-compoundable, non-bailable offence triable by the Court of Sessions.

Section 296 — Disturbing Religious Assembly

Whoever voluntarily causes disturbance to any assembly lawfully engaged in religious worship or
ceremonies.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 1 year, or fine, or both.

Section 297 — Trespassing on Burial Places

Whoever, with intent to wound religious feelings or insult religion, commits trespass in any place of worship,
place of sculpture, place for funeral rites, or depository of the dead; or offers indignity to a human corpse, or
causes disturbance to funeral ceremonies.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 1 year, or fine, or both.

Section 298 — Uttering Words to Wound Religious Feelings

Whoever, with deliberate intention of wounding religious feelings of any person, utters any word, makes
any sound or gesture, or places any object in sight of that person.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 1 year, or fine, or both.

Section 298-A — Derogatory Remarks re: Holy Personages

Whoever by words, written or spoken, or visible representation, directly or indirectly defiles the sacred name of
any wife (Ummul Mumineen) or family (Ahle-bait) of the Holy Prophet ■, or any righteous Caliph
(Khulafa-e-Rashideen) or Companion (Sahaaba).

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 3 years, or fine, or both.

Section 298-B — Misuse of Titles/Epithets Reserved for Holy Personages or Places

(Ahmadis)
Any person of the Qadiani or Lahori group (who call themselves 'Ahmadis') who by words or visible
representation:

(a) Refers to any person other than a Caliph/Companion as 'Ameer-ul-Mumineen', 'Sahaabi', 'Razi Allah Anho'
etc.;

(b) Refers to any person other than a wife of the Holy Prophet ■ as 'Ummul-Mumineen';

(c) Refers to any person other than family of the Prophet ■ as 'Ahle-bait'; or

(d) Calls his place of worship a 'Masjid'; or refers to his call to prayer as 'Azan'.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 3 years + fine.

Section 298-C — Qadiani/Ahmadi Posing as Muslim or Propagating Faith

Any person of the Qadiani or Lahori group who directly or indirectly poses as a Muslim, calls his faith Islam, or
preaches/propagates his faith, or invites others to it in any manner that outrages the religious feelings of
Muslims.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 3 years + fine.

CHAPTER V — OF HIJACKING (Sections 402-A, 402-B, 402-C)

Section 402-A — Hijacking (Definition)

Whoever unlawfully, by the use or show of force or by threats of any kind, seizes or exercises control of
an aircraft is said to commit hijacking.

Section 402-B — Punishment for Hijacking

Whoever commits, conspires or attempts to commit, or abets the commission of hijacking.

■ Punishment: Death or imprisonment for life + forfeiture of property + fine.

Section 402-C — Harbouring Hijackers

Whoever knowingly harbours any person who is about to commit, has committed, or has abetted hijacking, or
knowingly permits such persons to meet/assemble in any place under his possession or control.

■ Punishment: Death or imprisonment for life + fine.

CHAPTER VI — CRIMINAL BREACH OF TRUST (Sections 405–409)

Section 405 — Criminal Breach of Trust (Definition)

Whoever, being in any manner entrusted with property or with any dominion over property, dishonestly:

• Misappropriates or converts it to his own use; OR

• Uses or disposes of it in violation of any direction of law or legal contract touching the discharge of such trust;
OR

• Wilfully suffers any other person so to do — commits criminal breach of trust.

■ Essential elements: (1) Entrustment of property; (2) Dishonest misappropriation or disposal in violation of trust.

Section 406 — Punishment for Criminal Breach of Trust

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years, or fine, or both.

Section 407 — Criminal Breach of Trust by Carrier, Wharfinger, or Warehouse-Keeper

Being entrusted with property as a carrier, wharfinger, or warehouse-keeper.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years + fine.

Section 408 — Criminal Breach of Trust by Clerk or Servant
A clerk or servant entrusted with property in such capacity commits criminal breach of trust.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years + fine.

Section 409 — Criminal Breach of Trust by Public Servant, Banker, Merchant, or Agent
Whoever, being entrusted with property in his capacity as a public servant, or as a banker, merchant, factor,
broker, attorney, or agent, commits criminal breach of trust.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment for life OR imprisonment of either description up to 10 years + fine.

■ S.409 carries the highest punishment for CBT due to aggravated breach of public or professional trust.

CHAPTER VII — OF CHEATING (Sections 415–420)

Section 415 — Cheating (Definition)

Whoever, by deceiving any person, fraudulently or dishonestly induces the person so deceived to:

• Deliver any property to any person; OR

• Consent that any person shall retain any property; OR

• Do or omit to do anything which causes or is likely to cause damage or harm to that person in body, mind,
reputation, or property — is said to cheat.

■ Explanation: A dishonest concealment of facts is a deception within the meaning of this section.

Section 416 — Cheating by Personation

A person cheats by personation if he cheats by pretending to be some other person, or knowingly substituting
one person for another, whether the personated individual is a real or imaginary person.

Section 417 — Punishment for Cheating

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 1 year, or fine, or both.

Section 418 — Cheating with Knowledge That Wrongful Loss May Ensue to Person
Whose Interest Offender Is Bound to Protect
Cheating where the offender knows he is likely to cause wrongful loss to a person whose interest he was
legally or contractually bound to protect.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 3 years, or fine, or both.

Section 419 — Punishment for Cheating by Personation

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years, or fine, or both.

Section 420 — Cheating and Dishonestly Inducing Delivery of Property

Whoever cheats and thereby dishonestly induces the person deceived to deliver any property, or to make,
alter, or destroy any valuable security or anything capable of being converted into a valuable security.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years + fine.

■ S.420 is an aggravated form of cheating requiring an actual delivery of property or security. S.417 covers simple
cheating.

CHAPTER VIII — OF MISCHIEF (Sections 425–440)

Section 425 — Mischief (Definition)

Whoever, with intent to cause wrongful loss or damage to the public or any person, causes the destruction
of any property, or any change in property that destroys/diminishes its value or utility, commits mischief.

■ It is not essential that the offender intend loss to the owner; causing loss to any person by injuring any property is
sufficient.

Section 426 — Punishment for Mischief

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 3 months, or fine, or both.

Section 427 — Mischief Causing Damage of Fifty Rupees or More

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Section 428 — Mischief by Killing/Maiming Animal Worth Rs. 10 or More

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Section 429 — Mischief by Killing/Maiming Cattle (Any Value) or Any Animal Worth Rs.
50+
Includes elephant, camel, horse, mule, buffalo, bull, cow, ox at any value, or any other animal worth Rs. 50+.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 5 years, or fine, or both.

Section 430 — Mischief by Injury to Works of Irrigation or Diverting Water

Any act causing diminution of water supply for agriculture, human/animal use, cleanliness, or manufacture.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 5 years, or fine, or both.

Section 431 — Mischief by Injury to Public Road, Bridge, River or Channel

Act rendering any public road, bridge, navigable river or channel impassable or less safe for travel.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 5 years, or fine, or both.

Section 432 — Mischief by Causing Inundation or Obstruction to Public Drainage

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 5 years, or fine, or both.
Section 433 — Mischief — Lighthouse or Seamark
Destroying/moving a lighthouse or seamark, or rendering it less useful for navigators.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years, or fine, or both.

Section 434 — Mischief — Landmark Fixed by Public Authority

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 1 year, or fine, or both.

Section 435 — Mischief by Fire/Explosive — Damage Rs. 100+ (or Rs. 10+ for Agricultural
Produce)
■ Punishment: Rigorous imprisonment not less than 2 years and not more than 7 years + fine.

Section 436 — Mischief by Fire/Explosive to Destroy House, Place of Worship, or

Custody of Property
■ Punishment: Imprisonment for life OR imprisonment not less than 3 years and not more than 10 years +
fine.

Section 437 — Mischief — Decked Vessel or Vessel of 20 Tons or More

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 10 years + fine.

Section 438 — Mischief under Section 437 by Fire/Explosive

■ Punishment: Imprisonment for life OR imprisonment of either description up to 10 years + fine.

Section 439 — Intentionally Running Vessel Aground to Commit Theft

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 10 years + fine.

Section 440 — Mischief Committed After Preparation for Causing Death or Hurt
Mischief after making preparation to cause death, hurt, wrongful restraint, or fear thereof.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 5 years + fine.

CHAPTER IX — CRIMINAL TRESPASS (Sections 441, 447, 448, 449, 451,

452, 453)

Section 441 — Criminal Trespass (Definition)

Whoever enters into or upon property in possession of another with intent to commit an offence or to
intimidate, insult or annoy any person in possession; OR having lawfully entered, unlawfully remains with
such intent — commits criminal trespass.

Section 447 — Punishment for Criminal Trespass

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 3 months, or fine up to Rs. 1,500, or both.
 Section 448 — Punishment for House-Trespass
House-trespass = criminal trespass by entering/remaining in any building, tent, or vessel used as a human
dwelling, place of worship, or place for custody of property.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 1 year, or fine up to Rs. 3,000, or both.

Section 449 — House-Trespass to Commit Offence Punishable with Death

■ Punishment: Imprisonment for life OR rigorous imprisonment up to 10 years + fine.

Section 451 — House-Trespass to Commit Offence Punishable with Imprisonment

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 2 years + fine. If intended offence is theft: up to 7
years.

Section 452 — House-Trespass After Preparation for Hurt, Assault or Wrongful Restraint
Trespass having made preparation to cause hurt, assault, wrongful restraint, or fear thereof.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years + fine.

Section 453 — Lurking House-Trespass or House-Breaking

Lurking house-trespass = house-trespass with concealment. House-breaking = entry by one of six prescribed
modes (e.g., through openings not intended for entry, climbing, use of criminal force).

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 2 years + fine.

CHAPTER X — OF FORGERY (Sections 463–468)

Section 463 — Forgery (Definition)

Whoever makes any false document or part of a document with intent to:

• Cause damage or injury to the public or any person;

• Support any claim or title;

• Cause any person to part with property or enter into any contract;

• Commit fraud or that fraud may be committed — commits forgery.

Section 464 — Making a False Document

A person makes a false document who:

First: Dishonestly/fraudulently makes, signs, seals, or executes a document with intention it be believed it was
made/authorised by a person who did not make/authorise it;

Secondly: Without lawful authority, dishonestly/fraudulently alters a document in any material part;

Thirdly: Dishonestly/fraudulently causes any person to sign/execute a document knowing that person (due to
unsoundness of mind, intoxication, or deception) does not know its contents.
 ■ A man's signature of his own name may amount to forgery if done with fraudulent intent. Making a false document in the
name of a fictitious/deceased person may also be forgery.

Section 465 — Punishment for Forgery

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Section 466 — Forgery of Record of Court or Public Register

Forging a document purporting to be a record/proceeding of a Court of Justice; a register of birth, baptism,
marriage, or burial; a register kept by a public servant; a certificate made by a public servant; or a
power-of-attorney.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years + fine.

Section 467 — Forgery of Valuable Security, Will, etc.

Forging a document which purports to be a valuable security, a will, an authority to adopt a son, an authority to
make/transfer a valuable security, or a receipt/acknowledgment of money or movable property.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment for life OR imprisonment of either description up to 10 years + fine.

Section 468 — Forgery for Purpose of Cheating

Committing forgery intending the forged document shall be used for the purpose of cheating.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years + fine.

CHAPTER XI — DISHONEST CHEQUE (Section 489-F)

Section 489-F — Dishonestly Issuing a Cheque

Whoever dishonestly issues a cheque towards repayment of a loan or fulfilment of an obligation which is
dishonoured on presentation, shall be punished — unless he can establish that he had made arrangements
with his bank to ensure the cheque would be honoured and the bank was at fault in not honouring it.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both.

■ The burden of proof rests on the accused (issuer) to show the bank was at fault. This is a special reversal of the usual
presumption of innocence with respect to the defence.

CHAPTER XII — OFFENCES RELATING TO MARRIAGE (Sections

493–498 & 498-A/B/C)

Section 493 — Cohabitation Caused by Deceitfully Inducing Belief of Lawful Marriage

Every man who deceitfully causes any woman who is not lawfully married to him to believe that she is
lawfully married to him and to cohabit with him in that belief.

■ Punishment: Rigorous imprisonment up to 25 years + fine.

 Section 494 — Marrying Again During Lifetime of Husband or Wife (Bigamy)
Whoever, having a husband or wife living, marries again when such marriage is void by reason of the previous
marriage being subsisting.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years + fine.

Exception: Does not apply if the previous marriage was declared void by a Court, or if the prior spouse has
been continually absent for 7 years and not heard of as living (provided the new spouse is informed of the
facts).

Section 495 — Bigamy with Concealment of Former Marriage

Committing the offence under Section 494 while concealing the fact of the former marriage from the new
spouse.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 10 years + fine.

Section 496 — Marriage Ceremony Fraudulently Gone Through Without Lawful Marriage
Whoever dishonestly or with fraudulent intention goes through the ceremony of being married, knowing that
he is not thereby lawfully married.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years + fine.

Section 496-A — Enticing or Taking Away a Woman with Criminal Intent

Whoever takes or entices away any woman with intent that she may have illicit intercourse with any person, or
conceals or detains with that intent.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years + fine.

Section 496-B — Fornication

A man and a woman not married to each other who wilfully have sexual intercourse with one another commit
fornication.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment up to 5 years + fine up to Rs. 10,000.

Section 496-C — False Accusation of Fornication

Whoever brings, levels, or gives evidence of a false charge of fornication against any person.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment up to 5 years + fine up to Rs. 10,000.

■ Sections 497 (Adultery) and 498 (Enticing or Taking Away a Married Woman) were omitted from the PPC by the
Offences of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979 (VII of 1979), Section 19. These subjects are now
governed under the Hudood Ordinances.

■ Note: Sections 498-A, 498-B, and 498-C were inserted by the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2004 and are part of the
PPC but may not appear in older editions. They deal with violence and coercion in marriage:

Section 498-A — Causing Hurt to Force a Woman to Marry or Prevent Her from
Exercising Her Right
Whoever, on the ground of a woman having contracted a marriage against the will of her parents/relatives, or
being held to have dishonoured the family, causes or attempts to cause hurt to such woman.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years + fine.

Section 498-B — Forced Marriage — Coercing a Woman to Enter Marriage

Whoever coerces or compels, or attempts to compel, a woman to enter into a marriage.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years + fine not less than Rs. 500,000.

Section 498-C — Watta Satta Marriage

Whoever gives a female in marriage or prevents a female from exercising her right to contract a marriage on
account of or in lieu of receiving a female in marriage (watta satta custom).

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years + fine not less than Rs. 500,000.

CHAPTER XIII — OF DEFAMATION (Sections 499–502A)

Section 499 — Defamation (Definition)

Whoever by words (spoken or intended to be read), signs, or visible representations makes or publishes any
imputation concerning any person intending to harm, or knowing/having reason to believe that such
imputation will harm, the reputation of such person — is said to defame that person.

Key Explanations:

1. May extend to imputations about a deceased person if hurtful to family.

2. May extend to imputations about a company or association.

3. An imputation expressed ironically may be defamation.

4. Harms reputation if it lowers moral/intellectual character, character in caste or calling, credit, or causes belief
that the body is in a loathsome/disgraceful state.

Ten Exceptions (not defamation): True statement for public good; opinion on public servants' conduct;
conduct touching public questions; publication of Court proceedings; merits of a decided case; merits of public
performance; censure in good faith by lawful authority; accusation in good faith to authorised person; imputation
for protection of one's interest or public good; caution in good faith.

Section 500 — Punishment for Defamation

■ Punishment: Simple imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Section 501 — Printing or Engraving Defamatory Matter

Whoever prints or engraves any matter knowing it is defamatory of any person.

■ Punishment: Simple imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Section 502 — Sale of Printed/Engraved Substance Containing Defamatory Matter

Whoever sells or offers for sale any printed/engraved substance containing defamatory matter knowing it
contains such matter.

■ Punishment: Simple imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Section 502-A — Cyber Defamation — Defamation Through Electronic Means

Whoever by means of any information system or device publishes defamatory material about any person —
as defined under Section 499 — in electronic form.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment up to 3 years OR fine up to Rs. 1,000,000 (1 million), or both.

■ Section 502-A was inserted to address online/social media defamation. It carries a higher punishment than traditional
defamation under S.500. It may also overlap with PECA 2016 (Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act).

CHAPTER XIV — CRIMINAL INTIMIDATION, INSULT & ANNOYANCE

(Sections 503–510)

Section 503 — Criminal Intimidation (Definition)

Whoever threatens another with any injury to his person, reputation, or property (or of anyone in whom that
person is interested), with intent to:

• Cause alarm to that person; OR

• Cause that person to do any act he is not legally bound to do; OR

• Cause that person to omit to do any act he is legally entitled to do — as means of avoiding the threat —
commits criminal intimidation.

■ A threat to injure the reputation of a deceased person in whom the threatened person is interested is also within this
section.

Section 504 — Intentional Insult with Intent to Provoke Breach of the Peace
Whoever intentionally insults and thereby gives provocation to any person, intending or knowing it likely that
such provocation will cause him to break public peace or commit any other offence.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Section 505 — Statements Conducing to Public Mischief

Whoever makes, publishes, or circulates any statement, rumour, or report:

(a) To incite armed forces personnel to mutiny or disregard duty;

(b) To cause fear/alarm to the public whereby a person may be induced to commit an offence against the State
or public tranquillity;

(c) To incite any class/community to commit an offence against another class/community.

(2) Also applies to statements promoting enmity, hatred, or ill-will between different religious, racial, regional
groups or castes on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, etc.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment up to 7 years + fine.

■ Exception: Good-faith publication of statements believed to be true without such intent is not an offence.
Section 506 — Punishment for Criminal Intimidation
Basic form:

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Aggravated form (threat to cause death/grievous hurt, destruction by fire, offence punishable with death/life/7+
years imprisonment, or imputing unchastity to a woman):

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years, or fine, or both.

Section 507 — Criminal Intimidation by Anonymous Communication

Committing criminal intimidation by anonymous communication or having taken precautions to conceal the
identity/abode of the person from whom the threat comes.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 2 years — in addition to the punishment under

Section 506.

Section 508 — Act Caused by Inducing Person to Believe He Will Be Object of Divine
Displeasure
Whoever voluntarily causes or attempts to cause any person to do or omit anything by inducing that person to
believe he or any person in whom he is interested will become an object of Divine displeasure if he does
not comply.

■ Punishment: Imprisonment of either description up to 1 year, or fine, or both.

Section 509 — Word, Gesture or Act Intended to Insult the Modesty of a Woman
Whoever, intending to insult the modesty of any woman, utters any word, makes any sound or gesture, or
exhibits any object, or intrudes upon the privacy of such woman.

■ Punishment: Simple imprisonment up to 1 year, or fine, or both.

Section 510 — Misconduct in Public by a Drunken Person

Whoever, in a state of intoxication, appears in any public place (or any place it is a trespass to enter) and
conducts himself in a manner causing annoyance to any person.

■ Punishment: Simple imprisonment up to 24 hours, or fine up to Rs. 10, or both.

CHAPTER XV — ATTEMPT TO COMMIT OFFENCES (Section 511)

Section 511 — Punishment for Attempting to Commit Offences Punishable with

Imprisonment for Life or Shorter Terms
Whoever attempts to commit an offence punishable by the PPC with imprisonment for life or imprisonment, or
to cause such an offence to be committed, and in such attempt does any act towards the commission of the
offence, shall be punished — where no express provision is made — with imprisonment of any description for a
term which may extend to one-half of the longest term provided for the offence, or with such fine as is
provided for the offence, or with both.
 ■ Three key elements of 'attempt': (1) Intention to commit the offence; (2) Some act done towards its commission; (3) The
act must fall short of actual commission. Mere preparation is NOT an attempt. S.511 is a catch-all provision for attempts not
otherwise specifically covered.

QUICK PUNISHMENT REFERENCE TABLE

Section Offence Maximum Punishment

141-143 Unlawful Assembly 6 months / fine / both

144 Unlawful Assembly (Armed) 2 years / fine / both

145 Continuing after Dispersal Order 2 years / fine / both

147 Rioting 2 years / fine / both

148 Rioting (Armed) 3 years / fine / both

182 False Info to Public Servant 6 months / Rs.3,000 / both

193 False Evidence (Judicial) 7 years + fine

194 False Evidence for Capital Conviction Life / 10 years + fine / Death

295 Defiling Place of Worship 2 years / fine / both

295-A Outraging Religious Feelings 10 years / fine / both

295-B Defiling Holy Qur'an Life Imprisonment

295-C Blasphemy re: Holy Prophet ■ Death / Life + fine

402-A/B/C Hijacking Death / Life + fine

406 Criminal Breach of Trust 7 years / fine / both

409 CBT by Public Servant/Banker Life / 10 years + fine

417 Cheating (Simple) 1 year / fine / both

420 Cheating + Delivery of Property 7 years + fine

426 Mischief 3 months / fine / both

436 Mischief by Fire (Dwelling) Life / 10 years + fine

447 Criminal Trespass 3 months / Rs.1,500 / both

449 House-Trespass (Capital Offence) Life / 10 years + fine

465 Forgery 2 years / fine / both

467 Forgery (Valuable Security/Will) Life / 10 years + fine

468 Forgery for Cheating 7 years + fine

489-F Dishonest Cheque 3 years / fine / both

493 Deceitful Cohabitation 25 years (RI) + fine

494 Bigamy 7 years + fine

 Section Offence Maximum Punishment

495 Bigamy (Concealment) 10 years + fine

499-500 Defamation 2 years (SI) / fine / both

502-A Cyber Defamation 3 years / Rs.1M / both

506 (basic) Criminal Intimidation 2 years / fine / both

506 (aggravated) Criminal Intimidation (serious threats) 7 years / fine / both

509 Insulting Modesty of Woman 1 year (SI) / fine / both

511 Attempt (General) 1/2 of max + fine

Notes: SI = Simple Imprisonment | RI = Rigorous Imprisonment | Rs. = Rupees | CBT = Criminal Breach of Trust | Sections 498A/B/C & 502A
inserted by later amendments (may not appear in older PPC editions). Sections 497 & 498 (original) were omitted by Hudood Ordinance,
1979.