All criminal intimidation gets the same punishment no matter what was threatened.

The IPC distinguishes between ordinary threats, punished under this basic clause, and threats of death or grievous hurt or certain other serious consequences, which historically attracted a much higher maximum punishment.

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 506

repealed

Punishment for criminal intimidation

Whoever commits the offence of criminal intimidation shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both;§

Why this exists

While Section 503 defines what conduct amounts to criminal intimidation, Section 506 provides the punishment for it. The IPC's original version of this section also had a second part providing much harsher punishment (up to 7 years) for intimidation threatening death or grievous hurt or certain serious consequences, giving courts a graded approach depending on the severity of the threat involved.

Common misconceptions

Myth: All criminal intimidation gets the same punishment no matter what was threatened.
Fact: The IPC distinguishes between ordinary threats, punished under this basic clause, and threats of death or grievous hurt or certain other serious consequences, which historically attracted a much higher maximum punishment.