Theft

This explainer discusses the law surrounding the different kinds of theft, the punishment for theft, and the remedies available. It primarily deals with the law on theft laid out in the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

What is Theft?
Types of Theft
Theft of Personal Items
Helping Someone Steal
Theft of Vehicles
Theft of Computer-Related Data
Theft of Electricity
Theft while Traveling
House Break-Ins
Pick-Pocketing and Snatching
Shoplifting
Facing Violence during Theft
Complaining about Theft
Theft by Child
Theft by House Help/Servant (Domestic Worker)

FAQs

Someone is threatening to kill me if I don’t pay them money.What do I do?

If someone is threatening to kill you in exchange for money, this is an act of extortion(( Section 383, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)) under the law. Extortion is when someone intentionally threatens you with any injury or makes you fear them to get any:

Valuable security, like money, jewellery etc.
Anything that can be converted into a valuable security by signing or sealing it, like a promissory note or a bond.

A person committing the crime of extortion may be punished(( Section 384, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)) with jail time up to 3 years or a fine or both. You should file a complaint immediately to stop this person from extorting any money from you.

Does the Court always grant full punishment upto 7 years jail time for cases of theft by servant?

Theft by a servant is treated more seriously than general theft(( Section 381, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)), and the punishment for the servant/help is jail time of up to 7 years and a fine. However, there have been multiple instances of the Court lightening the sentence– this depends on the facts of the case.

Do I have the right to defend myself against thieves?

You have a right to defend yourself(( Section 96, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)) , any other person(( Section 97, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)), and your property, or that of any other person(( Section 97, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)). if you face violence. However, the following conditions need to be satisfied, or you may be punished:

There is a reasonable belief that you will be injured(( Arjun v. State of Maharashtra))
The defence you use should be in ratio with the injury being inflicted on you(( Section 99, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)). For example, if someone is going to punch you, you cannot shoot him.

Your right to defence of body can include causing death in the following cases(( Section 100, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)):

You reasonably believe that death may occur
You reasonably believe that grievous hurt may occur
The assault is occuring with an intention to rape or satisfy unnatural lust
The assault is occurring with an intention of kidnapping
The assault is occurring with an intention confine a person in a way that he will not be able to reach out to public authorities
The assault is occurring with an intention throw acid which may cause grievous hurt

Your right to defence of property includes causing death in the following cases(( Section 103, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)):

Robbery
House-breaking during night
Mischief in relation to burning a building, tent, etc. which is used for the purposes of living by humans or used to store property in
Theft, mischief or trespass which may make you believe that death/grievous hurt may result

What is the difference between theft, robbery and dacoity?

Theft, robbery and dacoity are three types of crimes under the law on crimes known as the Indian Penal Code, 1860(( Sections 378, 390 and 391, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)). Theft is when someone steals a movable property out of your possession with the intention of stealing it from you. For example, if Shikar steals five hundred rupees from your wallet when you were not in the room, then it is an act of theft. Robbery is an aggravated form of theft, so if someone attempts or causes any hurt, wrongful restraint or death in order to commit an act of theft, it is known as robbery. For example, if Shikar comes to your house, beats you up and then steals five hundred rupees from your wallet, it is an act of robbery. Dacoity is a crime when 5 or more people commit or attempt to or aid someone to commit an act of robbery together. For example, if Shikhar and his 4 friends come to your house and beat you up to steal your money and jewellery, then it is an act of dacoity. The punishment for these crimes are also different. If you commit theft(( Section 379, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)) you may be punished with jail time up to 3 years or a fine or both. If you commit robbery(( Section 392, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)) you may be punished with jail time up to 10 years or a fine or both. If the robbery(( Section 392, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)) is committed on the highway between sunrise and sunset then the jail time may be up to 14 years. If you commit dacoity(( Section 395, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)) then you may be punished with jail time which may be for life and a fine.

I was traveling in my car when a gang of people came and attacked my car. They stole all my jewellery and money. What should I do?

You should immediately complain to the police as this is a crime of dacoity(( Section 391, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)). Dacoity is a crime when 5 or more people commit or attempt to or aid someone to commit an act of robbery together. Stopping your car on the road and stealing your personal items like jewellery, money etc. is a crime of dacoity(( Section 395, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)). The persons committing this crime of dacoity may be punished with jail time which may be for life and a fine.

My own Chartered Accountant has been stealing from my account. What should I do?

You should immediately complain to the police as this is a crime known as ‘criminal breach of trust’. If someone that you trust with your property, which may include your money, bank accounts etc. dishonestly(( Section 405, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)):

Misappropriates it or uses it as his own property, like your chartered accountant accessing money through your account without letting you know.
Disposes or uses that property knowing that he or she is breaking the law or a contract, like your chartered accountant transferring money away from your account and forging your account books to make it seem like it was your expenditure.

Makes any other person use or dispose of this property knowing that is it illegal, like your chartered accountant asking his employees to steal money from their clients etc. is committing an illegal act. A person committing this crime may be punished with jail time up to 3 years or a fine or both.(( Section 405, Indian Penal Code, 1860.))

Nominee Vs Legal Heirs in absence of Will

No, a nominee is not necessarily the beneficiary of a deceased/dead person’s accounts. The nominee is the person who has the right to operate the account after the person’s death. The nominee is like a trustee who will look after a person’s financial accounts after the person’s death. The nominee may not be the heir of the assets, but has the responsibility to hold the assets and transfer them to the deceased person’s legal heirs. In case the deceased person has not made a will, the legal beneficiaries will be decided as per succession laws.(( Saving instruments: Nominees v. Beneficiaries, Bank Bazaar, accessed at https://blog.bankbazaar.com/saving-instruments-nominees-vs-beneficiaries/))