CAT: A Study on Bangladesh Compliance
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend
to ten years and also with fine.42
Given that the concept of ‘torture’ includes mental
sufferings, acts of ‘criminal force,’ ‘assault,’ and ‘criminal
intimidation’ are also criminalised under the Penal Code.
Criminal force is defined as an intentional use of force43 to
any person, without that person’s consent, in order to
commit any offence, or with the intention or knowledge of
causing injury, fear or annoyance to that person.44 The Code
provides that the commission of assault or criminal force,
unless caused in consequence of grave and sudden
provocation, is punishable with imprisonment for a term
which may extend to three months or with fine which may
extend to five hundred taka or with both.45 Assault or
criminal force to a person in attempting to wrongfully
confine that person is punishable with imprisonment for a
term which may extend to one year or with fine which may
extend to one thousand taka or with both.46 Assault or
criminal force on a woman with the intention of violating her
modesty is punishable with imprisonment for a term which
may extend to two years or with fine or with both.47
42
Section 331.
See, Section 349 of the Penal Code for the definition of ‘force’.
44
Ibid, Section 63.
45
See, Section 352.
46
Section 357.
47
Section 354.
43
33