Code:
Whoever holds out any threat of injury to any public servant, or to any person in whom he believes that public servant to be interested, for the purpose of inducing that public servant to do any act, or to forbear or delay to do any act, connected with the exercise of the public functions of such public servant, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Explanation:
This section states that whoever threatens any public servant with any injury to his person, with intent to prevent or deter that public servant from discharging his duty as such public servant, or with intent to compel that public servant to do any act which he is not legally bound to do, or to forbear from doing any act which he is legally bound to do, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Illustration:
A police officer is investigating a case. A person threatens the police officer with violence if he doesn’t drop the investigation. This would fall under Section 189 of the IPC.
Common Questions & Answers:
Q: What constitutes a “threat”?
A: Any statement or action that creates a reasonable apprehension of harm or injury.
Q: Can a verbal threat fall under this section?
A: Yes, if the threat is serious and intended to intimidate the public servant.
Q: What is the punishment for violating Section 189?
A: Imprisonment up to two years, fine, or both.
