Dishonestly breaking open receptacle containing property
Full Text
(1) Whoever dishonestly or with intent to commit mischief, breaks open or unfastens any closed receptacle which contains or which he believes to contain property, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
(2) Whoever, being entrusted with any closed receptacle which contains or which he believes to contain property, without having authority to open the same, dishonestly, or with intent to commit mischief, breaks open or unfastens that receptacle, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
Plain English Summary
Punishes dishonestly breaking open or unfastening any closed receptacle containing property, with up to 2 years imprisonment, or up to 3 years if the offender was entrusted with its custody.
Key Legal Elements
- Closed receptacle containing or believed to contain property
- Breaking open or unfastening the receptacle
- Dishonest intent or intent to commit mischief
- Aggravated liability (imprisonment up to 3 years) if the receptacle was entrusted to the custody of the offender without authority to open it
Punishment
General: Imprisonment up to 2 years, fine, or both; If Entrusted: Imprisonment up to 3 years, fine, or both
Practical Note
CRITICAL COMPARISON: BNS Section 334 consolidates two separate sections of the old IPC: Section 461 (breaking open a receptacle) and Section 462 (same when committed by a person entrusted with custody). The statutory language and the maximum penalties (up to 2 years for general breaking, and up to 3 years if entrusted) remain completely identical under BNS Section 334.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) जो कोई किसी बंद पात्र को, जिसमें संपत्ति हो या जिसके बारे में उसे विश्वास हो कि उसमें संपत्ति है, बेईमानी से या रिष्टि करने के आशय से तोड़ेगा या खोलेगा, वह दोनों में से किसी भांति के कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि दो वर्ष तक की हो सकेगी, या जुर्माने से, या दोनों से, दंडित किया जाएगा।
(2) जो कोई किसी ऐसे बंद पात्र को, जिसमें संपत्ति हो या जिसके बारे में उसे विश्वास हो कि उसमें संपत्ति है, और जो उसे सौंपा गया हो, खोलने का प्राधिकार न रखते हुए, बेईमानी से या रिष्टि करने के आशय से तोड़ेगा या खोलेगा, वह दोनों में से किसी भांति के कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि तीन वर्ष तक की हो सकेगी, या जुर्माने से, या दोनों से, दंडित किया जाएगा।