Section 353 IPC is using assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty. Both “assault” and “criminal force” have been defined in Indian Penal Code. A mere verbal argument would not come within the definition of these expressions. Further, to make out an offence under Section 353 IPC, such assault or criminal force must be with the intention to deter the public servant from discharging his duty, etc. In view of these reasons, mere heated verbal arguments may not be sufficient to make out an offence under Section 353 IPC.
Section 332 IPC makes punishable the act of voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty. So, causing hurt is an essential ingredient of this offence. Therefore, just heated verbal arguments would not be an offence under Section 332 IPC also.
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