Section 253: Prohibition of extortion

1) No person shall commit, or cause to be committed, extortion.

2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), a person who puts any person in fear or terror of any injury to that person or to any other person and dishonestly takes any benefit from that person for himself or herself or any other person or induces that person to do, or prevents that person from doing, any act with the intention of taking such benefit shall be considered to commit extortion.

3)  A person who commits the offence referred to in sub-section (1) shall be liable to the following sentence:

(a) A sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years and a fine not exceeding seventy thousand rupees, in the case of putting a person in fear or terror of death, grievous hurt or serious injury, with the intention of committing extortion,

(b) A sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years and a fine not exceeding thirty thousand rupees, in the case of commission of extortion by showing fear or terror with the intention of causing any damage to any other person’s business or making a false accusation in respect of such person’s character,

(c) A sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding ten thousand rupees or both the sentences, in the case of the commission of extortion in cases other than that set forth in clause (a) or (b).