BNS Section 120 — Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to extort confession, or to compel restoration of property
CHAPTER VI OF OFFENCES AFFECTING THE HUMAN BODY — Of hurt
Criminal
Summary
Sub-section (1) covers a person who voluntarily causes hurt to someone for either of two purposes: to extort from that person, or from anyone interested in that person, a confession or any information that could lead to the detection of an offence or misconduct; or to force that person, or anyone interested in that person, to restore or cause the restoration of any property or valuable security, to satisfy any claim or demand, or to give information that could lead to the restoration of any property or valuable security. The punishment for this is imprisonment of either description for a term that may extend to seven years, along with a fine.
The illustrations give examples of what counts as an offence under sub-section (1). Illustration (a) says a police officer who tortures Z to make Z confess to a crime is guilty. Illustration (b) says a police officer who tortures B to make B point out where stolen property is deposited is guilty. Illustration (c) says a revenue officer who tortures Z to compel Z to pay arrears of revenue due from Z is guilty.
Sub-section (2) covers a person who voluntarily causes grievous hurt for any of the purposes listed in sub-section (1). The punishment for this is imprisonment of either description for a term that may extend to ten years, along with a fine.
Official Text
(1) Whoever voluntarily causes hurt for the purpose of extorting from the sufferer or from any person interested in the sufferer, any confession or any information which may lead to the detection of an offence or misconduct, or for the purpose of constraining the sufferer or any person interested in the sufferer to restore or to cause the restoration of any property or valuable security or to satisfy any claim or demand, or to give information which may lead to the restoration of any property or valuable security, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Illustrations.
(a) A, a police officer, tortures Z in order to induce Z to confess that he committed a crime. A is guilty of an offence under this section.
(b) A, a police officer, tortures B to induce him to point out where certain stolen property is deposited. A is guilty of an offence under this section.
(c) A, a revenue officer, tortures Z in order to compel him to pay certain arrears of revenue due from Z. A is guilty of an offence under this section.
(2) Whoever voluntarily causes grievous hurt for any purpose referred to in sub-section (1), shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Related Judgments
- SC (2025) Vol.6 p.280 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
- SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
- SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
- S.C.R. DR. ASHWANI KUMAR v. UNION OF INDIA AND ANOTHER — Supreme Court of India (2019)
- STATE OF PUNJAB AND K.IRP A SHANKAR RAJ v. STATE OF U.P. MARCH 11, 1994 — Supreme Court of India (1994)
- SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1531 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
- S.C.R. 514 514 GANESAN v. STATE REP. BY STATION HOUSE OFFICER — Supreme Court of India (2021)
- CRL A/735/2004 — Madras High Court (2004)