Indian Penal Code, 1860
351. Assault
Whoever makes any gesture, or any preparation intending or
knowing. it to be likely that such gesture or preparation will cause any person
present to apprehend that he who makes that gesture or preparation is about to
use criminal force to that person, is said to commit an assault.
Explanation- Mere words do not amount to an assault. But
the words which a person uses may give to his gestures or preparation such a
meaning as may make those gestures or preparations amount to an assault.
Illustrations
(a) A shakes his fist at Z, intending or knowing it to be likely
that he may thereby cause Z to believe that A is about to strike Z, A has
committed an assault.
(b) A begins to unloose the muzzle of a ferocious dog, intending
or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby cause Z to believe that he is
about to cause the dog to attack Z. A has committed an assault upon Z.
(c) A takes up a stick, saying to Z, "I will give you a
beating". Here, though the words used by A could in no case amount to an
assault, and though the mere gesture, unaccompanied by any other circumstances,
might not amount to an assault, the gesture explained by the words may amount
to an assault.