IPC Section 401 — Punishment for belonging to gang of thieves

Summary

If a person is a member of a wandering or other group that regularly commits theft or robbery, and the group is not a gang of thugs or dacoits, that person can be punished with rigorous imprisonment for up to seven years and may also have to pay a fine.

Official Text

Whoever, at any time after the passing of this Act, shall belong to any wandering or other gang of persons associated for the purpose of habitually committing theft or robbery, and not being a gang of thugs or dacoits, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Related Judgments

• S.C.R. 1 1 SHATRUGHNA BABAN MESHRAM v. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA — Supreme Court of India (2020)
• SC (2008) Vol.5 p.764 — Supreme Court of India (2008)
• SHAIK ABDUL AZEEZ v. STATE OF KARNATAKA M — Supreme Court of India (1977)
• GURDEV SINGH v. UNION OF INDIA AND ORS. NOVEMBER 5, 2001 — Supreme Court of India (S)
• D.M. NAGARAJA v. GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA 465 & ORS — Supreme Court of India (2011)
• CHHAVA AHMEDMIYA SHAIK v. POLICE COMMISSIONER, AHMEDABAD & ANR. MAY 5, 1989 — Supreme Court of India (1989)
• S.C.R. 145 STATE OF M.P v. CHUNNILAL — Supreme Court of India (2009)
• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.1 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• BNS §313 — Punishment for belonging to gang of robbers, etc