334. (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.
IPC Section 461 in BNS: Section 334
Dishonestly breaking open receptacle containing property
Section 461 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Dishonestly breaking open receptacle containing property) corresponds to Section 334 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNSS First Schedule, BNS 334(1) is cognizable, non-bailable, triable by Any Magistrate; punishment: Imprisonment for 2 years, or fine, or both.
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Bail, cognizability and punishment
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 334(1) | Dishonestly breaking open or unfastening any closed receptacle containing or supposed to contain property. | Imprisonment for 2 years, or fine, or both. | Cognizable | Non-bailable | Any Magistrate |
| 334(2) | Being entrusted with any closed receptacle containing or supposed to contain any property, and fraudulently opening the same. | Imprisonment for 3 years, or fine, or both. | Cognizable | Bailable | Any Magistrate |
Source: BNSS, 2023, First Schedule, Part I.
The BNS applies to offences committed on or after 1 July 2024. Offences committed earlier are charged and tried under the IPC.
Text of BNS Section 334
Full BNS Section 334 and every IPC section it replaced →
Other IPC sections now in BNS 334
- IPC 462: Punishment for same offence when committed by person entrusted with custody → BNS 334(2)
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