Question:medium

Under the provisions of Section 362 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, which of the following is not a mandatory legal requirement (ingredient) to constitute the offence of 'Abduction'?

Show Hint

Remember the distinction: Kidnapping focuses on the status of the victim (minor or person of unsound mind), whereas Abduction focuses on the method used (force or deceit).
Updated On: Jun 8, 2026
  • Compelling or inducing a person to move from one place to another
  • The classification of the act as a "continuing offence"
  • The employment of physical force or the use of deceitful means
  • The person abducted must be a minor
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understand the question.
We must find which option is NOT a needed ingredient for the offence of abduction under Section 362 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

Step 2: Read the definition of abduction.
Section 362 says: whoever by force compels, or by deceitful means induces, any person to go from any place, abducts that person. So the key parts are: a person is moved, and the moving is caused by force or by deceit.

Step 3: Test option 1.
Option 1 talks about compelling or inducing a person to move from one place to another. This is exactly inside the definition. So it is a true ingredient and cannot be the answer.

Step 4: Test option 3.
Option 3 talks about using force or deceitful means. Section 362 needs either force or deceit. So this too is a real ingredient and cannot be the answer.

Step 5: Compare abduction with kidnapping.
In kidnapping from lawful guardianship, the victim must usually be a minor or of unsound mind. But abduction has no such age rule. An adult, a child, or an old person can all be abducted. So minority is NOT required for abduction.

Step 6: Reach the answer.
Calling abduction a continuing offence is just a description, not the deciding test. The clear point is that the victim need not be a minor. So the option that is NOT a required ingredient is the one saying the abducted person must be a minor.

\[ \boxed{\text{The person abducted must be a minor}} \]
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