IPC Section 351 - Assault

351. Assault. Whoever makes any gesture, or any preparation intending or knowing it to be likely

that such gesture or preparation will cause any person present to apprehend that he who makes that

gesture or preparation is about to use criminal force to that person, is said to commit an assault.

Explanation.-- Mere words do not amount to an assault. But the words which a person uses may give

to his gestures or preparation such a meaning as may make those gestures or preparations amo unt to an

assault.

Illustration s

(a) A shakes his fist at Z, intending or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby cause Z to believe that A is about to stri ke

Z. A has committed an assault.

(b) A begins to unloose the muzzle of a ferocious dog, intending or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby cause Z to

believe that he is about to cause the dog to attack Z. A has committed an assault upon Z.

(c) A takes up a stick, saying to Z, "I will give you a beating". Here, though the words used by A could in no case amount to

an assault, and though the mere gesture, unaccompanied by any other circumstances, might not amount to an assault,the gesture

explained by the words may amount to an assault.