Library/BNS/Section 315
Section 315BailablePenal

Dishonest misappropriation of property possessed by deceased person at the time of his death

Full Text

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.

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Illustration.

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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.

Plain English Summary

Punishes the dishonest misappropriation of a deceased person's property before it reaches the possession of those legally entitled, with enhanced punishment if the offender was a clerk or servant.

Key Legal Elements

  • Dishonest misappropriation or conversion of property for personal use
  • Property was in the possession of a deceased person at the time of death
  • Property has not yet come into the possession of anyone legally entitled to it
  • Offender knew the property belonged to the deceased and was not legally theirs
  • Enhanced punishment applies if the offender was employed as a clerk or servant by the deceased

Punishment

General: Imprisonment up to 3 years and fine; Servant/Clerk: Imprisonment up to 7 years and fine

Practical Note

CRITICAL COMPARISON: This section corresponds to Section 404 of the IPC. While the definition remains identical, BNS Section 315 maintains the distinction between a general offender (up to 3 years imprisonment and fine) and an employee/servant offender (up to 7 years imprisonment and fine), addressing the breach of trust in employment relationships during a vulnerable transition period.

हिंदी पाठ

जो कोई किसी ऐसी संपत्ति का बेईमानी से दुर्विनियोग करेगा या उसे अपने उपयोग के लिए संपरिवर्तित कर लेगा, यह जानते हुए कि ऐसी संपत्ति किसी मृत व्यक्ति के कब्जे में उस व्यक्ति की मृत्यु के समय थी, और तब से किसी ऐसे व्यक्ति के कब्जे में नहीं आई है जो ऐसे कब्जे का कानूनन हकदार है, वह दोनों में से किसी भांति के कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि तीन वर्ष तक की हो सकेगी, दंडित किया जाएगा और जुर्माने से भी दंडनीय होगा; और यदि अपराधी उस व्यक्ति की मृत्यु के समय उसके यहाँ लिपिक या सेवक के रूप में नियोजित था, तो वह कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि सात वर्ष तक की हो सकेगी, दंडित किया जाएगा और जुर्माने से भी दंडनीय होगा।

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दृष्टांत—

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य फर्नीचर और धन अपने कब्जे में रखकर मर जाता है। उसका सेवक क, इससे पहले कि वह धन किसी ऐसे व्यक्ति के कब्जे में आए जो ऐसे कब्जे का हकदार है, उसका बेईमानी से दुर्विनियोग कर लेता है। क ने इस धारा में परिभाषित अपराध किया है।

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Criminal breach of trust