Scene 1

The offence of Theft comes under the purview of offences against property which extends from section 378 to section 462. Theft has been dealt with under sections 378 to 382. Theft is an offence in which movable property of a person is taken away and it is taken away without his consent.  Theft has been defined under Section 378 of IPC. Simultaneously the punishment for the commitment of act of theft has also been defined under Section 379 of IPC. Theft is defined under the Section 378 of The Indian Penal Code as, any person intending to take any movable property without honesty, out of the possession of any person without that individual’s consent, moves that property in order to such taking is said to commit theft.

Scene 2

There must be a dishonest intention of an Individual to take that property. The property being taken away has to be movable. Such a property must be taken away from the owner. The property has to be taken away from the possession of an individual. In other words, there has to be a possession of that property by someone. Such a property has to be taken away without the consent of such an individual.

Scene 3

Section 379 of the IPC establishes the punishment for theft as imprisonment up to 3 years or fine or both. Other succeeding provisions contain more severe punishment for theft under aggravating circumstances. For example, Section 380 of IPC punishes the commission of theft in a building, tent or vessel used for dwelling or residence. The object of this provision is to provide greater security to properties in dwelling premises. The punishment for this is imprisonment up to 7 years along with fine.

Scene 4

Robbery According to Section 390 of IPC, there is theft in every robbery. In other words, robbery is an aggravated form of theft. Theft essentially means to take a movable property out of a person’s lawful possession without obtaining his consent. Robbery generally takes place when, while committing theft, the offender, either attempts to actually cause or merely cause fear of instant death/hurt/wrongful restraint to any person. Thus, theft becomes robbery when the offender commits any of the above acts while committing theft. It can also happen when he completes the theft and tries to move the property away. Dacoity Dacoity is the aggravated form of robbery which inturn is an aggravated form of theft. Dacoity is said to take place when robbery is committed by 5 or more people and they all share common intention.

WHAT IS THEFT?