ICA Section 15: "Coercion" defined
Indian Contract Act, 1872 · Chapter 2: Contracts, Voidable Contracts and Void Agreements
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15. "Coercion" defined . "Coercion" is the committing, or threatening to commit, any act forbidden by the Indian Penal Code, or the unlawful detaining, or threatening to detain, any property, to the prejudice of any person whatever, with the intention of causing any person to enter into an agreement. (45 of 1860.)
Explanation.-It is immaterial whether the Indian Penal Code is or is not in force in the place where the coercion is employed. (45 of 1860.)
Illustration
A, on board an English ship on the high seas, causes B to enter into an agreement by an act amounting to criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code. (45 of 1860.) A afterwards sues B for breach of contract at Calcutta.
A has employed coercion, although his act is not an offence by the law of England, and although section 506 of the Indian Penal Code was not in force at the time when or place where the act was done.(45 of 1860.)
Official reference: India Code, Legislative Department — checked: 29 September 2026.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 10. What agreements are contracts
- 11. Who are competent to contract
- 12. What is a sound mind for the purposes of contracting
- 13. "Consent" defined
- 14. "Free consent" defined
- 16. "Undue influence" defined
- 17. "Fraud" defined
- 18. "Misrepresentation" defined
- 19. Voidability of agreements without free consent
- 19A. Power to set aside contract induced by undue influence
- 20. Agreement void where both parties are under mistake as to matter of fact
- 21. Effect of mistakes as to law
- 22. Contract caused by mistake of one party as to matter of fact
- 23. What considerations and objects are lawful and what not
- 24. Agreement void, if considerations and objects unlawful in part
- 25. Agreement without consideration void, unless it is in writing and registered, or is a promise to compensate for something done, or is a promise to pay a debt barred by limitation law
- 26. Agreement in restraint of marriage void
- 27. Agreement in restraint of trade void
- 28. Agreements in restraint of legal proceedings void
- 29. Agreements void for uncertainty
- 30. Agreements by way of wager void