Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 507
repealedCriminal intimidation by an anonymous communication
Whoever commits the offence of criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication, or having taken precaution to conceal the name or abode of the person from whom the threat comes, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, in addition to the punishment provided for the offence by the last preceding section.
Why this exists
This provision recognises that anonymous threats are especially frightening and harder for victims to address or for law enforcement to trace, since the victim cannot identify or confront the source of the danger. By adding extra punishment on top of the base penalty for criminal intimidation, the law discourages people from hiding behind anonymity to threaten others, closing a loophole that might otherwise let cowardly threats go lightly punished.
Common misconceptions
- Myth: This section is a separate, standalone offence from criminal intimidation.
Fact: Section 507 does not create a new offence; it adds extra punishment on top of the base punishment under Section 506 when the intimidation was anonymous or the threatener concealed their identity.