Section 171B of IPC : Section 171B: Bribery

Explanation using Example

Example 1:

Ravi is a candidate in the upcoming municipal elections. He approaches Suresh, a local influential figure, and offers him Rs. 50,000 to convince the residents of his area to vote for Ravi. Suresh accepts the money and starts campaigning for Ravi, urging people to vote for him. In this scenario, Ravi has committed the offence of bribery by giving gratification to Suresh to induce others to exercise their electoral rights in Ravi's favor. Suresh has also committed the offence by accepting the gratification to influence the voters.

Example 2:

Priya, a voter, is approached by a representative of a political party who offers her a new smartphone if she votes for their candidate in the state assembly elections. Priya accepts the offer and votes for the candidate. Here, the representative has committed the offence of bribery by offering gratification to Priya to influence her vote. Priya has also committed the offence by accepting the gratification in exchange for her vote.

Example 3:

During the election campaign, a political party announces that if they win, they will build a new hospital in the area. This is a declaration of public policy and does not constitute an offence under this section, as it is a promise of public action and not a personal gratification.

Example 4:

A businessman, Rajesh, promises to donate Rs. 1 lakh to a local school if the school's principal, Mr. Sharma, convinces the teachers and staff to vote for a particular candidate in the upcoming elections. Mr. Sharma agrees and starts persuading the staff to vote for the candidate. Rajesh has committed the offence of bribery by offering gratification to Mr. Sharma to influence the votes of the school staff. Mr. Sharma has also committed the offence by accepting the promise of gratification to influence the votes.

Example 5:

Anita, a voter, is offered a job by a candidate's campaign team if she can convince her family and friends to vote for the candidate. Anita accepts the offer and starts persuading her family and friends to vote for the candidate. The campaign team has committed the offence of bribery by offering a job as gratification to Anita to influence the votes of her family and friends. Anita has also committed the offence by accepting the offer to influence the votes.