BNS Section 317: Stolen property

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter 17: Of Offences Against Property - Of theft - Of extortion - Of robbery and dacoity - Of criminal misappropriation of property - Of criminal breach of trust - Of receiving stolen property - Of cheating - Of fraudulent deeds and dispositions of property - Of mischief - Of criminal trespass

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317. (1) Property, the possession whereof has been transferred by theft or extortion or robbery or cheating, and property which has been criminally misappropriated or in respect of which criminal breach of trust has been committed, is designated as stolen property, whether the transfer has been made, or the misappropriation or breach of trust has been committed, within or without India, but, if such property subsequently comes into the possession of a person legally entitled to the possession thereof, it then ceases to be stolen property.

(2) Whoever dishonestly receives or retains any stolen property, knowing or having reason to believe the same to be stolen property, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

(3) Whoever dishonestly receives or retains any stolen property, the possession whereof he knows or has reason to believe to have been transferred by the commission of dacoity, or dishonestly receives from a person, whom he knows or has reason to believe to belong or to have belonged to a gang of dacoits, property which he knows or has reason to believe to have been stolen, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

(4) Whoever habitually receives or deals in property which he knows or has reason to believe to be stolen property, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

(5) Whoever voluntarily assists in concealing or disposing of or making away with property which he knows or has reason to believe to be stolen property, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

Study: explanations and related material

Replaces IPC 410, IPC 411, IPC 412, IPC 413, IPC 414. IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28)

Punishment, bail and trial

317(2)Dishonestly receiving stolen property knowing it to be stolen.

Punishment
Imprisonment for 3 years, or fine, or both.
Cognizable or not
Cognizable
Bailable or not
Non‑bailable
Triable by
Any Magistrate

317(3)Dishonestly receiving stolen property, knowing that it was obtained by dacoity.

Punishment
Imprisonment for life, or rigorous imprisonment for 10 years and fine.
Cognizable or not
Cognizable
Bailable or not
Non‑bailable
Triable by
Court of Session

317(4)Habitually dealing in stolen property.

Punishment
Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for 10 years and fine.
Cognizable or not
Cognizable
Bailable or not
Non‑bailable
Triable by
Court of Session

317(5)Assisting in concealment or disposal of stolen property, knowing it to be stolen.

Punishment
Imprisonment for 3 years, or fine, or both.
Cognizable or not
Cognizable
Bailable or not
Non‑bailable
Triable by
Any Magistrate

Source: BNSS First Schedule, Gazette of India, 25 December 2023, p. 183. The Schedule gives the substance of the section, not its full definition, and a State may have amended the classification for its territory. See it in the full First Schedule

Official reference: Ministry of Home Affairs: Gazette text, 25 December 2023 — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-07-01.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh legal-currency guarantee. The linked government text is an independent authoritative reference, not certification that this website reproduces the same edition. The source link was checked, not every provision or subsequent amendment. Check commencement notifications, savings and jurisdiction-specific variations separately.

This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.

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