(Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023)
1. THEFT (Sec 303 BNS)
Meaning
Dishonestly taking movable property out of someone’s possession without consent.
Example
A steals B’s mobile from table without knowledge
Key Points
- No force
- No threat
- Secret taking
Punishment
Up to 3 years imprisonment / fine / both
2. EXTORTION (Sec 308 BNS)
Meaning
Putting a person in fear of injury and dishonestly inducing him to deliver property.
Example
“₹50,000 de do warna tumhari photos viral kar dunga”
Key Points
- Fear + consent (but forced consent)
- Property delivered by victim
Punishment
Up to 7 years imprisonment + fine
3. ROBBERY (Sec 309 BNS)
Meaning
Robbery = Theft OR Extortion + Immediate violence/threat
When:
- Theft becomes robbery → if force used during theft
- Extortion becomes robbery → if fear of instant death/hurt
Example
Knife dikha ke wallet cheen lena
Key Points
- Immediate force or threat
- Victim present
- Sudden act
Punishment
Rigorous imprisonment up to 10 years + fine
On highway: up to 14 years
4. DACOITY (Sec 310 BNS)
Meaning
Robbery committed by 5 or more persons
Example
6 log milkar ghar mein ghus kar loot karte hain
Key Points
- Minimum 5 offenders
- Organized crime
- More serious than robbery
Punishment
Life imprisonment or rigorous imprisonment up to 10 years + fine
KEY DIFFERENCE TABLE
| Offence | Consent | Force/Threat | No. of Persons | Nature |
| Theft | ❌ No consent | ❌ No | 1+ | Secret taking |
| Extortion | ✔️ Forced consent | ✔️ Threat (future) | 1+ | Fear-based |
| Robbery | ❌ / ✔️ | ✔️ Immediate | 1+ | Violent theft/extortion |
| Dacoity | ❌ / ✔️ | ✔️ Immediate | 5+ persons | Group robbery |
Easy Memory Trick
Theft = Chori (chupke)
Extortion = Dhamki se paisa
Robbery = Force se loot
Dacoity = Group mein loot (5+)
Practical Court Insight
- Theft → recovery & possession important
- Extortion → proof of threat + delivery
- Robbery → injury / weapon / presence crucial
- Dacoity → number of accused (5+) must be proved
Final Conclusion
Gravity increases step by step:
Theft → Extortion → Robbery → Dacoity
Theft, Extortion, Robbery & Dacoity
BNS 2023 vs IPC Comparison Table
| Offence | BNS Section | IPC Section | Definition (Same Concept) | Punishment (BNS) | Punishment (IPC) |
| Theft | Sec 303 | Sec 378 / 379 | Dishonestly taking movable property without consent | Up to 3 years / fine / both | Up to 3 years / fine / both |
| Extortion | Sec 308 | Sec 383 / 384 | Putting person in fear to deliver property | Up to 7 years + fine | Up to 3 years / fine / both (basic) |
| Robbery | Sec 309 | Sec 390 / 392 | Theft/Extortion + immediate force or threat | Up to 10 years + fine (14 yrs on highway) | Up to 10 years + fine (14 yrs on highway) |
| Dacoity | Sec 310 | Sec 391 / 395 | Robbery by 5 or more persons | Life imprisonment or up to 10 years + fine | Life imprisonment or up to 10 years + fine |
Important Differences (BNS vs IPC)
1. Numbering Changed
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 → New sections (303, 308, 309, 310)
- Indian Penal Code, 1860 → Old sections (378–395 range)
2. Punishment Changes
- Extortion → BNS increases punishment (up to 7 years)
- Other offences → mostly same as IPC
3. Language Simplification
- BNS uses simpler & modern drafting
- IPC had more colonial-era wording
Quick Memory Trick
303 → Theft (3 letters ‘T’)
308 → Extortion (8 = fear/pressure)
309 → Robbery (force)
310 → Dacoity (group crime)
Practical Court Insight
- FIR may still mention IPC (old cases)
- New FIRs → BNS sections apply
- Always check date of offence (before/after 1 July 2024)
Final Conclusion
Concept same hai, but:
- Sections change ho gaye
- Some punishments enhanced (especially extortion)
- Practice now shifting fully to BNS
For Educational & Legal Awareness
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