Introduction

The Sections 349 to 358 of the Code explains about the offence of Force, Use of Criminal Force,
Assaults and various aggravated forms of Assaults.

Force – SECTION 349

Force has been defined u/s 349 as an exertion of energy producing a change in the outer world.
The section defines force in relation to a human being and not against an inanimate object. It
may be exercised directly or indirectly..

Ingredients.-To constitute force there must be at least:

(1) The causing of motion;
(2) Change of motion; or
(3) Cessation of motion
So as to bring any substance into contact,
1. with any part of that other’s body or
2. with anything which that other is wearing or carrying or
3. with anything that such contact affects that other’s sense of feeling.

Provided the person causes that motion etc. in any of the following three ways :
1. By his own bodily power or
2. By disposing any substance
3. By inducing any animal

This Section elaborately defines what „force‟ is and does not by itself constitute an offence

Illustration (b) exemplifies the word „change of motion‟. It provides that „Z is riding in a chariot. A lashes
Z‟s horses, and thereby causes them to quicken their pace. Here A has caused change of motion to Z by
inducing the animals to change their motion. A has, therefore, used force to Z‟.

In Jai Ram v. Emperor (1940), the Accused raises his stick to strike the Plaintiff, the plaintiff seeing the
accused raising the stick moves away, Accused is said to use force within the meaning of this Section
SECTION 350

Criminal force.—Whoever intentionally uses force to any person, without that person’s consent,
in order to the committing of any offence, or intending by the use of such force to cause, or
knowing it to be likely that by the use of such force he will cause injury, fear or annoyance to the
person to whom the force is used, is said to use criminal force to that other.

Illustration
A intentionally pushes against Z in the street. Here A has by his own bodily power moved his
own person so as to bring it into contact with Z. He has therefore intentionally used force to Z;
and if he has done so without Z’s consent, intending or knowing it to be likely that he may
thereby injure, frighten or annoy Z, he has used criminal force to Z.

Ingredients

(i) Intentional use of force to any person;

(ii) Such force should have been used without the consent of the victim;
(iii) The force must have been used to commit an offence or with the intention to cause injury,
fear or annoyance to the person to whom it is used.

Intentional use of force to any person

In every casE use of force must be intentional.

Such force should have been used without the consent of the victim
force must have been used without the person's consent So, when a person intentionally uses
force with consent of such person against whom he has used it, it is not said to criminal force.
Sometimes, the consent may be expressed or implied. example, when two persons play boxing or
wrestling, the consent is express or implied in such cases. When a person uses force in a friendly
relationship, it is presumed that there is implied consent. so, this consent negates the criminality
of force.
However , consent can never be a defence when the alleged act consists of unlawful act.
The force must have been used to commit an offence or with the intention to cause injury,
fear or annoyance to the person to whom it is used.
So, when the force is used against a person intentionally, such intention must also accompany an
intention to do an offence by such force or knowledge that by such force he is likely to cause
fear, injury or annoyance. Mere intention or knowledge is enough, it is immaterial whether actual
fear or injury or annoyance is caused or not. .

Where a victim is assaulted and his thumb impression taken forcefully on a blank sheet of paper the
offence will fall under this section (Jadunandan Singh v. Emperor,

Nature and punishment

According to Section 352, „Whoever uses criminal force to any person otherwise than on grave and
sudden provocation given by that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for
a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or
with both‟. This offence is classified as a noncognizable bailable offence triable by any Magistrate.
Further this offence is also classified as a compoundable offence.

SECTION 351

Whoever makes any gesture, or any preparation intending or knowing it to be likely that such
gesture or preparation will cause any person present to apprehend that he who makes that
gesture or preparation is about to use criminal force to that person, is said to commit an assault.
Explanation.—Mere words do not amount to an assault. But the words which a person uses may
give to his gestures or preparation such a meaning as may make those gestures or preparations
amount to an assault.

Illustrations
A shakes his fist at Z, intending or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby cause Z to believe
that A is about to strike Z. A has committed an assault.

Ingredients. The following are the essential ingredients of this section: -

 1. Making of any gesture or preparation by a person in the presence of another.
2. Intention or knowledge of likelihood that such gesture or preparation will cause the
person present to apprehend that the person making it is about to use
criminal force to him

The apprehension of the use of criminal force must be from the person making the gesture or
preparation, but if it arises from some other person, it would not be assault on the part of that
person.

While determining apprehension for the purpose of this offence the ability of the alleged accused
is also an important factor. For example if a person points a loaded gun and threatens, it will
amount to an assault, since the accused have the ability to do so which will cause an
apprehension in the mind of the victim. But when a person threatens to another with a toy gun, it
will not amount to an assault, because of the inability of the accused to use force.

Likewise the apprehension required for constituting the offence of assault must be about an
imminent one. For example if a person threatens to another person by showing a knife, „I will
kill you with this knife on next Sunday‟, it does not amount to an assault because of the threat is
not an imminent one

Nazir Uddin Vs. Emperor AIR 1933 All: - *offence of assault is committed against a person
and not against Public though it involves a breach of peace"

Nature and Punishment

According to Section 352, „Whoever uses assault to any person otherwise than on grave and
sudden provocation given by that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either
description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five
hundred rupees, or with both‟. This offence is classified as a noncognizable bailable offence
triable by any Magistrate. Further this offence is also classified as a compoundable offence.
Difference between assault and criminal force.- Generally assault is considered as an attempt to
commit criminal force. Hence assault is lesser in degree and gravity compared to criminal force In
assault the force is cut short before the blow actually falls upon the victim.. Every use of criminal
force includes assault but in assault there is merely apprehension of use of force and no use
of actual force.

he assault is an offence against the person of an individual whereas affray is an offence against the
public tranquillity.

BATTERY
R v Gladstone Williams

“an act by which the defendant, intentionally or recklessly, applies unlawful

force to the complainant

AGGRAVATED FORMS ASSAULT OR CRIMINAL FORCE The various aggravated forms of the offence of
assault or criminal force are:

a) Deterring public servant form discharging his duty: Section 353

b) Outraging the modesty of woman: Section 354

c) To disrobe woman: Section 354B

d) Dishonour of a person: Section 355

e) Attempt to commit theft of property: Section 356

f) Attempt to wrongfully confine a person: Section 357

(g) Assault or criminal force on sudden and grave provocation

Battery