IPC Section 342 — Punishment for wrongful confinement

wrongful restraint and wrongful confinement

Criminal

Punishment

Imprisonment up to 1 year, or fine up to ₹1,000, or both

As the section puts it: “shall be punished with simple imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both”

Summary

If a person is wrongfully confined, meaning they are illegally prevented from moving freely, that person can be punished. The punishment can be simple imprisonment for up to one year, or a fine of up to one thousand rupees, or both.

Official Text

Whoever wrongfully confines any person shall be punished with simple imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

Related Provisions

wrongful confinement

Related Judgments

  • Deepti Anil Devasthali and; Leena Anil Devastnali vs State of Maharashtra — Bombay High Court (Mumbai Principal Seat) (2009)
  • YASHWANT ETC. vs THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA — Supreme Court of India (2018)
  • RAJU @ UMAKANT vs THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • RAJU PANDURANG MAHALE vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ANR — Supreme Court of India (2004)
  • BHARWADA BHOGINBHAI HIRJIBHAI vs STATE OF GUJARAT — Supreme Court of India (1983)
  • SANJIV KUMAR @ GORA vs STATE OF PUNJAB — Supreme Court of India (2015)

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