Theft & Related IPC Offences – Quick-Recall Notes

Core Definition

Theft (IPC $\text{Sec. 378}$ ): Dishonest moving of movable property out of another’s possession without consent.
- Essentials:
1. Dishonest intent at the time of moving.
2. Property must be movable & belong to another.
3. Actual moving (the slightest movement completes the offence).

Related Provisions (Key for classification)

$\text{Sec. 379}$ – Punishment for theft (simple case).
$\text{Sec. 380}$ – Theft in dwelling-house, vessel, tent, etc.
$\text{Sec. 392}$ – Robbery (theft + violence or fear of instant violence).
$\text{Secs. 403\,/406}$ – Criminal misappropriation / Criminal breach of trust (property obtained lawfully, later dishonestly used or converted).

Quick Case-wise Outcomes

No.	Brief Facts	Offence Made Out
1	Motor-bike moved from in front of shop	Theft (Sec. 379) – movable property removed without consent.
2	Bag kept outside shop taken	Theft (Sec. 379).
3	Bag snatched from hand in market	Robbery (Sec. 392) – sudden seizure from person creating instant fear / force.
4	Bag taken from beside victim at bus stand	Theft (Sec. 379); no force or fear used by offender.
5	Entire commercial vessel moved	Theft of vessel (Sec. 379; vessel is movable after being detached from moorings).
6	Three petrol containers removed from vessel	Theft in vessel (Sec. 380).
7	Bag stolen from sleeper bus during night	Theft (likely Sec. 380 – theft on a vessel/vehicle used for human dwelling).
8	Idol missing from family temple	Theft in building (Sec. 380); may also attract sacrilege provisions (Sec. 295) if intention to insult religion.
9	Electrician pockets ring while repairing	Theft (Sec. 379) – had no lawful possession of ring.
10	Model keeps jewels beyond permitted hours to wear at wedding	Criminal misappropriation / breach of trust (Secs. 403/406); initial possession was with consent, so not theft.

Distinguishing Points to Recall

Consent at moment of taking: Presence → later dishonesty = misappropriation; Absence → theft.
Force/fear during theft: Converts theft into robbery.
Location factor: Dwelling-house, vessel, or place of worship upgrades to $\text{Sec. 380}$ .
Movable property: Includes vehicles, vessels, containers, idols, bags, jewellery, etc.

Exam Triggers

Quote the four ingredients of theft verbatim.
Always test for consent, possession, movement, dishonest intention.
Check if any of the three aggravators apply: place, force/fear, initial lawful possession.
Reference proper section numbers for quick scoring.