BNS Section 354 – Inducing Belief of Divine Displeasure

Section Overview

Section Number: 354
Section Title: Act caused by inducing belief of Divine Displeasure
Act: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS)
Status: Active (Replaced IPC provision)
Applicability: Entire India under BNS

Original Legal Text

Whoever voluntarily causes or attempts to cause any person to do anything which that person is not legally bound to do, or to omit to do anything which he is legally entitled to do, by inducing or attempting to induce that person to believe that he or any person in whom he is interested will become or will be rendered by some act of the offender an object of Divine displeasure, if he does not do the thing which it is the object of the offender to cause him to do, or if he does the thing which it is the object of the offender to cause him to omit, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.

Applicability

This section applies in cases involving:

• Superstition-based coercion

• Religious fear tactics used for control

• Threats of “god’s curse” or divine punishment

• Forced donations or actions using religious fear

• Exploitation through spiritual intimidation

• Fraud disguised as religious pressure

Section Explanation

Simple Explanation (Plain English)

BNS Section 354 punishes a person who forces someone to act (or not act) by making them believe that:

• God will be angry

• They will suffer divine punishment

• Something bad will happen spiritually

👉 The key idea is using fear of religion or superstition to control someone’s actions.

Hinglish Explanation

Agar koi vyakti kisi dusre ko yeh kehkar darata hai ki:

• “Agar tumne yeh kaam nahi kiya to bhagwan tumhe saza denge”

• “Tum par shraap lag jayega”

aur is dar ki wajah se woh dusra vyakti koi kaam karta hai ya nahi karta, to ye BNS Section 354 ke under offence hota hai.

Legal Definition

Section 354 criminalises:

• Voluntary coercion through superstition

• Inducing belief in divine displeasure

• Causing a person to act against legal freedom

• Using religious fear as a tool of manipulation

The law protects individuals from psychological and spiritual coercion.

Practical Interpretation

In real life, this section is applied where:

• Fake godmen or spiritual leaders manipulate followers

• Religious fear is used for money or control

• People are forced to donate property or money

• Superstitious threats are used in family disputes

• Fraudsters exploit religious beliefs

Courts examine:

• Nature of threat (religious/supernatural)

• Victim’s belief system

• Intent of accused

• Whether coercion influenced decision-making

Punishment & Legal Classification

Punishment

• Imprisonment up to 1 year, or

• Fine, or

• Both

Bailable or Non-Bailable

• Generally Bailable

Cognizable or Non-Cognizable

• Generally Non-Cognizable

Compoundable

• Usually Compoundable with permission of court

Triable By

• Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC)

IPC ↔️ BNS Mapping

Mapping Explanation

BNS Section 354 is derived from IPC Section 508, which dealt with:

• Acts caused by inducing belief in divine displeasure

• Superstition-based coercion

The BNS retains the same principle but modernises wording.

Real-Life Examples

Example 1: Fake Spiritual Threat

A self-proclaimed spiritual leader tells a devotee:
“If you don’t donate ₹50,000, your family will suffer divine punishment.”

👉 This is coercion using superstition → Section 354 applies.

Example 2: Forced Ritual Payment

A priest demands money saying:
“Without this ritual, your child will be cursed.”

👉 This is religious intimidation → Section 354 applies.

Example 3: Family Superstition Pressure

A family member says:
“If you don’t follow this ritual, god will punish our entire family.”

👉 This is psychological coercion based on belief → Section 354 applies.

Landmark Judgments

Case Name: Chandra Bhan v. State (Illustrative Principle)

Court: High Court

Key Takeaway:

Coercion based on superstition or divine fear, when used to force action, amounts to criminal offence under this provision.

Case Name: Ram Narayan v. State (Illustrative Principle)

Court: High Court

Key Takeaway:

Freedom of religious belief does not extend to using religion as a tool of coercion or fraud.

Judicial Principles

• Belief in religion is protected, coercion is not

• Intent to influence conduct is essential

• Victim’s perception matters

• Fraudulent spiritual pressure is punishable

Legal Insights

When is Section 354 Applied?

• Fake godmen exploitation

• Religious blackmail cases

• Superstition-based fraud

• Forced donations or rituals

• Spiritual manipulation in disputes

Common Misuse Scenarios

• Misinterpretation of religious advice

• Family disputes turned criminal cases

• Legitimate religious practices mislabelled as coercion

• Lack of understanding of intent requirement

Defenses Available

 No Coercion

No pressure or threat was applied.

 Voluntary Action

Victim acted willingly.

 No Intent to Influence

Statements were not meant to manipulate.

 Genuine Religious Belief

Expression of belief, not coercion.

 Absence of Effect

No change in victim’s conduct due to statement.