What is Theft?

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Theft is when someone takes away your property without your consent. Theft is a crime in India and the person committing theft is punished with jail time of up to 3 years and/or a fine.(( Section 379, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)) Theft is a cognizable and non-bailable offence.

It is theft when(( Section 378, Indian Penal Code, 1860.)):

You have a dishonest intention to take away property

There is an intention to take away property dishonestly i.e. one intended to cause illegal gains to oneself while causing someone else illegal losses(( K.N. Mehra v. State of Rajasthan (1957) SCR 623.)). For example, if Shyam breaks into Ram’s house and steals his money with the intention to cause illegal gains to himself while causing Ram illegal losses.

You have not taken consent to move the property

The property has been taken away without consent(( K.N. Mehra v. State of Rajasthan (1957) SCR 623.)). For example, if Ram’s dog is chained up in his yard, and Shyam takes it away without asking Ram. However, there are certain conditions in place, such as:

The consent can be given by the person who owns the property, or by any other person who has authority over that property
The consent can be explicit or implicit

You move property

It is theft when some movable property i.e. it is tangible and is not attached to the earth, has been moved. Some examples are:

Any property has been detached from the earth. For example, one steals pipe fittings which were connected to a borewell.
Some obstacles have been removed which allowed removing some property. For example, if a bicycle’s lock is removed and the bicycle is taken away.
An animal has been used to remove some property. For example, if a donkey is attached to a cart of goods, and to steal those goods, the donkey is taken away.
It involves the actual act of taking away property(( State of Maharashtra v. Vishwanath Tukuram Umale & Ors., (1979) 4 SCC 23.)).

Theft is not just a crime if personal items are stolen. Many other forms of theft are there and the law punishes people who commit theft based on:

The item stolen
The situation of theft
The person who commits theft.

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Types of Theft

Theft is not just a crime if personal items are stolen. Many other forms of theft are there and the law punishes people who commit theft based on the situation as well as depending on who they are.

Theft of Electricity

Under the Indian law, theft of electricity happens when someone tampers meters, damages electric meters or equipment, etc.

Theft of Computer-Related Data

Sometimes, your personal data stored on the computer may be stolen. This is also a form of theft, under the Indian law.

House Break-Ins

Under the Indian law, when someone commits theft by breaking into a house, they are punished with a higher penalty.

Complaining about Theft

If you face any kind of theft, such as theft of personal items or theft during traveling, you can file an FIR with the nearest police station.

Theft by House Help/Servant (Domestic Worker)

Theft by a servant or house help is treated more seriously than general punishment for theft as the punishment is higher. Punishment for the servant/help is jail time of up to 7 years and a fine.