A physical blockade of a target, either by encirclement or forcible occupation.

Gherao may mean one of two things. Primarily, it means an encirclement in the sense of blockade. It may be complete encirclement or a partial encirclement intended to blockade the egress and ingress from and to a particular office, workshop, factory or residence. The second kind of gherao is an encirclement in depth, that is to say, a virtual occupation of the target to be gheraoed resulting in the prevention of ingress by the management or its stuff. Between these two meanings, there are a number of shades. [Jai Engineering Works vs. State of WB AIR 1968 Cal. 407]