Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 344
repealedWrongful confinement for ten or more days
Whoever wrongfully confines any person for ten days, or more, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Why this exists
This is the next tier of increasing punishment for longer periods of unlawful confinement, reflecting how much more serious and harmful it is to hold someone captive for an extended stretch of time compared to just a few days.
Common misconceptions
- Myth: This section can be avoided by paying only a fine.
Fact: Unlike some other provisions, the fine here is mandatory in addition to imprisonment, not an alternative to it.