BNS Section 334 — Dishonestly breaking open receptacle containing property
CHAPTER XVII OF OFFENCES AGAINST PROPERTY — Of criminal trespass
Criminal
Punishment
Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both
As the section puts it: “shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both”
Summary
Sub-section (1) covers a person who dishonestly, or with the intention of committing mischief, breaks open or unfastens any closed receptacle that contains property, or that the person believes contains property. Such a person is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to two years, or with a fine, or with both.
Sub-section (2) covers a person who has been entrusted with a closed receptacle that contains property, or that the person believes contains property, and who, without having authority to open it, dishonestly or with the intention of committing mischief breaks open or unfastens that receptacle. Such a person is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to three years, or with a fine, or with both.
Official 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.
