Indian Contract Act, 1872
15. "Coercion" defined
"Coercion" is the committing, or threatening to
commit, any act forbidden by the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) or the unlawful
detaining, or threatening to detain, any property, to the prejudice of any
person whatever, with the intention of causing any person to enter into an
agreement.
Explanation: It is immaterial whether the Indian Penal Code
(45 of 1860) is or is not in force in the place where the coercion is
employed.
Illustration
A, on board an English ship on the high seas, causes B to enter
into an agreement by an act amounting to criminal intimidation under the Indian
Penal Code (45 of 1860).
A afterwards sues B for breach of contract at Calcutta.
A has employed coercion, although his act is not an offence by
the law of England, and although section 506 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860)
was not in force at the time when or at the place where the act was done.