§ 388 — Extortion by threat of accusation of an offence punishable with death, or imprisonment, etc.

388. Whoever commits extortion by putting any person in fear of an accusation against that person or any other, of having committed, or attempted to commit, an offence punishable with death, or with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, or of having attempted to induce any other person to commit such offence, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine or to caning.