Chapter 17

section_number: 303
section_name: Theft.
explanation: Theft is defined as dishonestly moving movable property out of someone's possession without their consent. The intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property is a crucial element of this offence.

section_number: 304
section_name: Snatching.
explanation: An aggravated form of theft, snatching involves suddenly or quickly seizing property from a person, often leading to fear or injury. This section addresses the increased risk and harm associated with such acts.

section_number: 305
section_name: Theft in a dwelling house, or means of transportation or place of worship, etc.
explanation: Whoever commits theft,in any building, tent or vessel used as a human dwelling or used for the custody of property; orof any means of transport used for the transport of goods or passengers; orof any article or goods from any means of transport used for the transport of goods or passengers; orof idol or icon in any place of worship; orof any property of the Government or of a local authority, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine.
BNSSClassificationImprisonment for 7 years and fine.CognizableNon-BailableTriable by Any Magistrate.


section_number: 306
section_name: Theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of master.
explanation: Whoever, being a clerk or servant, or being employed in the capacity of a clerk or servant, commits theft in respect of any property in the possession of his master or employer, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
BNSSClassificationImprisonment for 7 years and fine.CognizableNon-bailableTriable by Any Magistrate.


section_number: 307
section_name: Theft after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint in order to the committing of theft.
explanation: Whoever commits theft, having made preparation for causing death, or hurt, or restraint, or fear of death, or of hurt, or of restraint, to any person, in order to the committing of such theft, or in order to the effecting of his escape after the committing of such theft, or in order to the retaining of property taken by such theft, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.Illustrations:A commits theft on property in Z’s possession; and while committing this theft, he has a loaded pistol under his garment, having provided this pistol for the purpose of hurting Z in case Z should resist. A has committed the offence defined in this section.A picks Z’s pocket, having posted several of his companions near him, in order that they may restrain Z, if Z should perceive what is passing and should resist, or should attempt to apprehend A. A has committed the offence defined in this section.


section_number: 308
section_name: Extortion.
explanation: Extortion occurs when someone intentionally puts another person in fear of injury to obtain property or valuable security. The emphasis is on the coercive element used to unlawfully acquire assets.

section_number: 309
section_name: Robbery.
explanation: Robbery is an aggravated form of either theft or extortion. Theft becomes robbery if, during its commission, the offender voluntarily causes or attempts to cause harm, fear of death, or wrongful restraint. Extortion becomes robbery when the offender induces fear of instant harm to compel the delivery of property

section_number: 310
section_name: Dacoity.
explanation: Dacoity is committed when five or more persons conjointly commit or attempt to commit robbery. The collective nature and potential for significant harm make it a serious offence. 

section_number: 311
section_name: Robbery, or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt.
explanation: If, at the time of committing robbery or dacoity, the offender uses any deadly weapon, or causes grievous hurt to any person, or attempts to cause death or grievous hurt to any person, the imprisonment with which such offender shall be punished shall not be less than seven years.
BNSSClassificationImprisonment for not less than 7 years and fine.CognizableNon-bailableTriable by Court of Session.


section_number: 312
section_name: Attempt to commit robbery or dacoity when armed with deadly weapon.
explanation: If, at the time of attempting to commit robbery or dacoity, the offender is armed with any deadly weapon, the imprisonment with which such offender shall be punished shall not be less than seven years.
BNSSClassificationImprisonment for not less than 7 years.CognizableNon-bailableTriable by Court of Session.


section_number: 313
section_name: Punishment for belonging to gang of robbers, etc.
explanation: Whoever belongs to any gang of persons associated in habitually committing theft or robbery, and not being a gang of dacoits, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
BNSSClassificationRigorous imprisonment for 7 years and fine.CognizableNon-bailableTriable by Magistrate of the first class.


section_number: 314
section_name: Dishonest misappropriation of property.
explanation: Whoever dishonestly misappropriates or converts to his own use any movable property, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to two years and with fine.
Illustrations:A takes property belonging to Z out of Z’s possession, in good faith believing at the time when he takes it, that the property belongs to himself. A is not guilty of theft; but if A, after discovering his mistake, dishonestly appropriates the property to his own use, he is guilty of an offence under this section.A, being on friendly terms with Z, goes into Z’s library in Z’s absence, and takes away a book without Z’s express consent. Here, if A was under the impression that he had Z’s implied consent to take the book for the purpose of reading it, A has not committed theft. But, if A afterwards sells the book for his own benefit, he is guilty of an offence under this section.A and B, being, joint owners of a horse. A takes the horse out of B’s possession, intending to use it. Here, as A has a right to use the horse, he does not dishonestly misappropriate it. But, if A sells the horse and appropriates the whole proceeds to his own use, he is guilty of an offence under this section.
Explanation 1:A dishonest misappropriation for a time only is a misappropriation within the meaning of this section.
Illustration:A finds a Government promissory note belonging to Z, bearing a blank endorsement. A, knowing that the note belongs to Z, pledges it with a banker as a security for a loan, intending at a future time to restore it to Z. A has committed an offence under this section.
Explanation 2:A person who finds property not in the possession of any other person, and takes such property for the purpose of protecting it for, or of restoring it to, the owner, does not take or misappropriate it dishonestly, and is not guilty of an offence; but he is guilty of the offence above defined, if he appropriates it to his own use, when he knows or has the means of discovering the owner, or before he has used reasonable means to discover and give notice to the owner and has kept the property a reasonable time to enable the owner to claim it. What are reasonable means or what is a reasonable time in such a case, is a question of fact. It is not necessary that the finder should know who is the owner of the property, or that any particular person is the owner of it; it is sufficient if, at the time of appropriating it, he does not believe it to be his own property, or in good faith believe that the real owner cannot be found.
Illustrations:A finds a rupee on the high road, not knowing to whom the rupee belongs, A picks up the rupee. Here A has not committed the offence defined in this section.A finds a letter on the road, containing a bank note. From the direction and contents of the letter he learns to whom the note belongs. He appropriates the note. He is guilty of an offence under this section.A finds a cheque payable to bearer. He can form no conjecture as to the person who has lost the cheque. But the name of the person, who has drawn the cheque, appears. A knows that this person can direct him to the person in whose favour the cheque was drawn. A appropriates the cheque without attempting to discover the owner. He is guilty of an offence under this section.A sees Z drop his purse with money in it. A picks up the purse with the intention of restoring it to Z, but afterwards appropriates it to his own use. A has committed an offence under this section.A finds a purse with money, not knowing to whom it belongs; he afterwards discovers that it belongs to Z, and appropriates it to his own use. A is guilty of an offence under this section.A finds a valuable ring, not knowing to whom it belongs. A sells it immediately without attempting to discover the owner. A is guilty of an offence under this section.
BNSSClassificationImprisonment of not less than 6 months but which may extend to 2 years and fine.Non-cognizableBailableTriable by Any Magistrate.


section_number: 315
section_name: Dishonest misappropriation of property possessed by deceased person at the time of his death.
explanation: Whoever dishonestly misappropriates or converts to his own use any property, knowing that such property was in the possession of a deceased person at the time of that person’s decease, and has not since been in the possession of any person legally entitled to such possession, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine, and if the offender at the time of such person’s decease was employed by him as a clerk or servant, the imprisonment may extend to seven years.
Illustration:Z dies in possession of furniture and money. His servant A, before the money comes into the possession of any person entitled to such possession, dishonestly misappropriates it. A has committed the offence defined in this section.
BNSSClassificationImprisonment for 3 years and fine.If offender was an employee: Imprisonment for 7 years and fine.Non-cognizableBailableTriable by Magistrate of the first class.


section_number: 316
section_name: Criminal breach of trust.
explanation: This section deals with individuals entrusted with property who dishonestly misappropriate or convert it for their own use, violating the trust placed in them.

section_number: 317
section_name: Stolen property.
explanation: Addresses the handling of stolen property, penalizing those who dishonestly receive or retain property knowing or having reason to believe it is stolen

section_number: 318
section_name: Cheating.
explanation: Cheating involves deceiving someone to fraudulently or dishonestly induce them to deliver property or consent to a valuable security. This section consolidates various forms of cheating under previous laws. 

section_number: 319
section_name: Cheating by personation.
explanation: BNSSClassificationImprisonment for 5 years, or with fine, or with both.CognizableBailableTriable by Any Magistrate.


section_number: 320
section_name: Dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent distribution among creditors.
explanation: Whoever dishonestly or fraudulently removes, conceals or delivers to any person, or transfers or causes to be transferred to any person, without adequate consideration, any property, intending thereby to prevent, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby prevent, the distribution of that property according to law among his creditors or the creditors of any other person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
BNSSClassificationImprisonment of not be less than 6 months but which may extend to 2 years, or fine, or both.Non-cognizableBailableTriable by Any Magistrate.


section_number: 321
section_name: Dishonestly or fraudulently preventing debt being available for creditors.
explanation: Whoever dishonestly or fraudulently prevents any debt or demand due to himself or to any other person from being made available according to law for payment of his debt or the debts of such other person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
BNSSClassificationImprisonment for 2 years, or fine, or both.Non-cognizableBailableTriable by Any Magistrate.


section_number: 322
section_name: Dishonest or fraudulent execution of deed of transfer containing false statement of consideration.
explanation: Whoever dishonestly or fraudulently signs, executes or becomes a party to any deed or instrument which purports to transfer or subject to any charge, any property, or any interest therein, and which contains any false statement relating to the consideration for such transfer or charge, or relating to the person or persons for whose use or benefit it is really intended to operate, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
BNSSClassificationImprisonment for 3 years, or fine, or both.Non-cognizableBailableTriable by Any Magistrate.


section_number: 323
section_name: Dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property.
explanation: Whoever dishonestly or fraudulently conceals or removes any property of himself or any other person, or dishonestly or fraudulently assists in the concealment or removal thereof, or dishonestly releases any demand or claim to which he is entitled, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
BNSSClassificationImprisonment for 3 years, or fine, or both.Non-cognizableBailableTriable by Any Magistrate.


section_number: 324
section_name: Mischief.
explanation: Mischief pertains to actions intended to cause wrongful loss or damage to property, including destruction or alteration that diminishes its value or utility. 

section_number: 325
section_name: Mischief by killing or maiming animal.
explanation: Whoever commits mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless any animal shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both.
BNSSClassificationImprisonment for 5 years, or fine, or both.CognizableBailableTriable by Magistrate of the first class.


section_number: 326
section_name: Mischief by injury, inundation, fire or explosive substance, etc.
explanation: Whoever commits mischief by,doing any act which causes, or which he knows to be likely to cause, a diminution of the supply of water for agricultural purposes, or for food or drink for human beings or for animals which are property, or for cleanliness or for carrying on any manufacture, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both;doing any act which renders or which he knows to be likely to render any public road, bridge, navigable river or navigable channel, natural or artificial, impassable or less safe for travelling or conveying property, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both;doing any act which causes or which he knows to be likely to cause an inundation or an obstruction to any public drainage attended with injury or damage, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both;destroying or moving any sign or signal used for navigation of rail, aircraft or ship or other thing placed as a guide for navigators, or by any act which renders any such sign or signal less useful as a guide for navigators, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both;destroying or moving any land-mark fixed by the authority of a public servant, or by any act which renders such land-mark less useful as such, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both;fire or any explosive substance intending to cause, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby cause, damage to any property including agricultural produce, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine;fire or any explosive substance, intending to cause, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby cause, the destruction of any building which is ordinarily used as a place of worship or as a human dwelling or as a place for the custody of property, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.


section_number: 327
section_name: Mischief with intent to destroy or make unsafe a rail, aircraft, decked vessel or one of twenty tons burden.
explanation: Mischief with Intent to Destroy or Make Unsafe a Rail, Aircraft, Decked Vessel, or One of Twenty Tons Burden This provision targets acts of mischief specifically aimed at endangering significant modes of transportation, highlighting the potential for large-scale harm

section_number: 328
section_name: Punishment for intentionally running vessel aground or ashore with intent to commit theft, etc.
explanation: Whoever intentionally runs any vessel aground or ashore, intending to commit theft of any property contained therein or to dishonestly misappropriate any such property, or with intent that such theft or misappropriation of property may be committed, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
BNSSClassificationImprisonment for 10 years, or fine.CognizableNon-bailableTriable by Court of Session.


section_number: 329
section_name: Criminal trespass and house-trespass.
explanation: House-trespass involves unlawfully entering or remaining in a dwelling with the intent to commit an offence or intimidate, insult, or annoy the occupant. 

section_number: 330
section_name: House-trespass and house-breaking.
explanation: Explanation:Any out-house or building occupied with a house, and between which and such house there is an immediate internal communication, is part of the house within the meaning of this section.
Illustrations:A commits house-trespass by making a hole through the wall of Z’s house, and putting his hand through the aperture. This is house-breaking.A commits house-trespass by creeping into a ship at a port-hole between decks. This is house-breaking.A commits house-trespass by entering Z’s house through a window. This is housebreaking.A commits house-trespass by entering Z’s house through the door, having opened a door which was fastened. This is house-breaking.A commits house-trespass by entering Z’s house through the door, having lifted a latch by putting a wire through a hole in the door. This is house-breaking.A finds the key of Z’s house door, which Z had lost, and commits house-trespass by entering Z’s house, having opened the door with that key. This is house-breaking.Z is standing in his doorway. A forces a passage by knocking Z down, and commits house-trespass by entering the house. This is house-breaking.Z, the door-keeper of Y, is standing in Y’s doorway. A commits house-trespass by entering the house, having deterred Z from opposing him by threatening to beat him. This is house-breaking.


section_number: 331
section_name: Punishment for house-trespass or house breaking.
explanation: This section deals with situations where someone dishonestly misappropriates or converts another's property for their own use, even without initial intent to steal

section_number: 332
section_name: House-trespass in order to commit offence.
explanation: Whoever commits house-trespass in order to the committing of any offence,punishable with death, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with rigorous imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, and shall also be liable to fine;punishable with imprisonment for life, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding ten years, and shall also be liable to fine;punishable with imprisonment, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, and shall also be liable to fine;
Providedthat if the offence intended to be committed is theft, the term of the imprisonment may be extended to seven years.


section_number: 333
section_name: House-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint.
explanation: Whoever commits house-trespass, having made preparation for causing hurt to any person or for assaulting any person, or for wrongfully restraining any person, or for putting any person in fear of hurt, or of assault, or of wrongful restraint, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
BNSSClassificationImprisonment for 7 years, or fine.CognizableNon-bailableTriable by Any Magistrate.


section_number: 334
section_name: Dishonestly breaking open receptacle containing property.
explanation: Addresses cases where an individual, bound by a contract to render personal service, breaches the contract, causing harm or risk to the person entitled to the service.