BBanaka

BNS Section 334: Dishonestly breaking open a receptacle containing 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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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.

Study: explanations and related material

Replaces IPC 461, IPC 462. IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28)

Punishment, bail and trial

334(1)Dishonestly breaking open or unfastening any closed receptacle containing or supposed to contain property.

Punishment
Imprisonment for 2 years, or fine, or both.
Cognizable or not
Cognizable
Bailable or not
Non‑bailable
Triable by
Any Magistrate

334(2)Being entrusted with any closed receptacle containing or supposed to contain any property, and fraudulently opening the same.

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

Source: BNSS First Schedule, Gazette of India, 25 December 2023, p. 186. 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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