Whoever, in order to commit extortion, puts or attempts to put 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, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine or to caning; and if the offence is punishable under section 377, may be punished with imprisonment for life.