IPC Notes- Theft, Extortion, Robbery and Dacoity [Redirects to CLATalogue]

This post analyses the differences between theft, extortion, robbery and dacoity under the Indian Penal Code.

What is meant by extortion? 

Extortion is a criminal offence under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that entails obtaining property or valuable security from another person through the use of force, threat, or coercion. Sections 383–389 of the IPC apply to this offence.

An example of extortion could be when someone threatens to reveal embarrassing or damaging information about another person unless they pay a certain amount of money. If someone threatens to harm another person or their property unless they receive a certain amount of money or property can also be considered extortion.

Extortion can be carried out in a variety of ways, including verbal threats, physical violence, and the use of electronic communication. Depending on the severity of the crime, the offence is punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine.

Difference between extortion and theft

The Indian Penal Code distinguishes between theft and extortion as separate criminal offences. While both crimes involve stealing something from someone else, they differ in methodology and intent.

The act of taking someone else’s property without their consent or permission with the intent of keeping it for oneself is defined as theft. In other words, taking someone else’s property by force, deception, or stealth is illegal. The goal of theft is to deprive the owner of their property.

Extortion, on the other hand, is the act of obtaining something from someone by using coercion or threats. It entails using force, fear, or intimidation to coerce someone into giving up something valuable, such as money, property, or services. The goal of extortion is to obtain something valuable from the victim.

In short, the main distinction between theft and extortion is that theft involves taking someone else’s property without their consent, whereas extortion involves coercing or threatening someone into giving up something of value. For example, it is theft if someone forcefully takes someone’s mobile phone from their grasp. Extortion occurs when a person threatens to harm the victim unless they give up their mobile phone.

What is meant by robbery?

Robbery is the taking of someone’s property through the use of force or the threat of force. It entails taking someone’s property without their consent by using violence or intimidation. The purpose of robbery is to take the victim’s property. It is defined under Section 390 of the IPC. 

Differences between extortion and robbery

The main distinction between robbery and extortion is that robbery involves the use of force or the threat of force to take someone’s property, whereas extortion involves the use of coercion or threats to obtain something of value from the victim.

For example, robbery occurs when a person enters a store armed with a weapon and demands money from the cashier. Extortion occurs when a person threatens to harm the cashier’s family unless they give up money.

What is meant by dacoity?

Dacoity is a serious criminal offence under Section 391 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). It is an armed robbery or group robbery in which a group of people (five or more) steal property from individuals or groups using violence or the threat of violence. Dacoity is committed by two or more people working together to commit robbery.

Dacoity is a serious crime, and the punishment is severe under the IPC. If the dacoity causes serious injury or death to the victim, the punishment can include life imprisonment or even the death penalty. In other cases, the punishment can include up to ten years in prison, a fine, or both.

Dacoity is considered a more serious crime than robbery because it involves the use of weapons and involves a larger number of people. Dacoity is usually planned, and the dacoits carry weapons in order to intimidate and threaten the victims.

It is considered dacoity, for example, if a group of armed people enters a house and steals property by using force or the threat of force. Similarly, it is considered dacoity if a group of people robs a bank with weapons and violence.

Differences between dacoity and robbery

Although both involve taking someone’s property, dacoity and robbery are distinct criminal offences under the Indian Penal Code. 

Robbery is the taking of someone’s property through the use of force or the threat of force. It entails taking someone’s property without their consent by using violence or intimidation. The purpose of robbery is to take the victim’s property.

Dacoity, on the other hand, is an aggravated form of robbery in which a group of people (referred to as dacoits) use violence or the threat of violence to steal property from individuals or groups. Dacoity is committed by five or more people working together to commit robbery. Dacoity is considered a more serious crime than robbery because it involves the use of weapons and involves a larger number of people.

In summary, the primary distinction between robbery and dacoity is that dacoity is a group robbery involving the use of weapons or threats to steal property, whereas robbery is an individual act involving the use of force or the threat of force to steal property.

For example, robbery occurs when a person enters a store armed with a weapon and demands money from the cashier. However, it is considered dacoity if a group of people armed with weapons rob a bank using violence and intimidation.

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Source: Lawctopus