IPC Section 94 — Act to which a person is compelled by threats

Summary

If a person is forced to commit an act because of threats that make them reasonably fear they will be killed instantly if they do not do it, that act is generally not considered an offence. However, this protection does not apply to murder or to any offence against the State that is punishable by death.

Official Text

Except murder, and offences against the State punishable with death, nothing is an offence which is done by a person who is compelled to do it by threats, which, at the time of doing it, reasonably cause the apprehension that instant death to that person will otherwise be the consequence;

Related Judgments

• SBYAMLAL MOBANLAL v. STATE OF GUJARAT D — Supreme Court of India (1965)
• GORIGE PENTAIAH v. STATE OF A.P. & ORS — Supreme Court of India (2008)
• AGHNOO NAGESIA A v. STATE OF B — Supreme Court of India (1966)
• .. Petitioner vs 1. The Secretary to Government — Madras High Court (2007)
• .. Petitioner/Accused No.1 vs 1. State (S.I. of Police), — Madras High Court (2013)
• ... Appellant / Accused No.1 vs State, through Inspector of Police, — Madras High Court ()
• SALIM v. STATE OF U.P. AND ORS — Supreme Court of India (2023)
• NEERAJ SHARMA v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH — Supreme Court of India (2024)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• BNS §32 — Act to which a person is compelled by threats