Theft And Extortion Under IPC

Movable Property-

The subject of the theft is movable property. Immovable property cannot be stolen. Movable property is that type of property which is able to move easily and is not stationary or which is not immovable. On the other hand, the kind of property which cannot be moved and is attached to the Earth is considered as immovable property, and it is not the subject of theft. It becomes the subject of theft when it is taken off from the surface of the Earth.

The property has been taken away without consent of the owner-

The consent can be either expressed or implied and it may be given by either of the persons involved in possession or by any individual having for some purpose expressed or implied authority.

What happens when the Theft is done by a servant or clerk of property which is in possession of the master?

When the theft is done by a servant or a clerk who is in possession of anything owned by the master commits theft in respect of any property in the possession of his employer/the master, will be punished with an imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and will also be liable to fine. This is defined under Section 381 of the Indian Penal Code.

What happens when Theft is done after the preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint in order to the committing of the offence?

Any person who commits theft after having made preparations for causing death, or hurt, or restraint, or fear of death, or of hurt, or of re­straint, to any person, in order to the committing of such theft, or in order to the effecting of his escape after the committing of such theft, or in order for retaining of such property taken by such an offence will be punished with a rigorous imprisonment for a term which can be extend to ten years, and the person will also be liable to fine.

Extortion-

Under the Indian penal code, the term extortion has been defined explicitly and how it is constituted. Section 383 of the indian penal code states that if a person intentionally puts another person in a position of fear or of threat to cause him injury, or deceitfully persuade him so that he may deliver the property or any other valuable goods to another person or any document which has been signed and can be turned in a valuable security. Punishment regarding extortion is enshrined under section Section 384 of the Indian penal code.

Essentials of extortion-

• An act which causes imminent threat and injury to a person.
• The act must be done intentionally and deceitfully.
• Such a person tends to cause injury to another person in which he seeks interest.
• An unreasonable force should be shown through which a person seeks to take the property or any other valuable goods of another person or any document.
• So it can be concluded if a person commits an offence which includes the all the following points as mentioned above then the offence committed is known as extortion.
• Intention plays an important role. The gravity of such dishonest intention upon the facts and circumstances of a case. For example, if A  takes any valuable stuff from B at point of a gun, then a is an offence of extortion.

Punishment regarding the offence of extortion (section 384 of IPC)-

Under section 384 of the Indian penal code punishment or extortion has been prescribed. A person committing such offence shall be punished with the imprisonment of 3 years or with fine or both.

Putting a person in a place while committing extortion where there is a sense of fear in him that he might get injured-

Section 385 of the Indian penal code states that a person while committing the offence of extortion shall be punished with the imprisonment of 2 years or fine or both if he while committing such crime puts another person in fear of injury.

Punishment for extortion committed through putting a person in fear of imminent threat to his life or severe hurt.-

Under section 386 of the  Indian penal code if any person commits an offence of extortion while putting a person in a sense of fear of imminent threat to his life which amounts to death or severe hurt to his body shall be held liable for rigorous imprisonment of 10 years or fine.

Punishment for putting a person in fear of death or severe hurt with the sole purpose of committing extortion-

Under section 387 of the Indian penal code, it has been stated that when a person with the sole purpose of committing  extortion puts or attempts to put another person in a position when there is a sense of fear of death or severe hurt to his body shall be punished for imprisonment which may extend to 7 years and is also liable to fine.

When a person commits extortion by threat of accusation of an offence punishable with death or imprisonment of life, etc.-

When a person commits an offence of extortion by threatening to accuse or attempts to accuse another person of an offence which is punishable with death or with life imprisonment or with the rigorous imprisonment which may extend to ten years or if the person attempted to persuade any other person to commit  such offence shall be punished with the imprisonment of 10 years and is also liable to pay fine and if the offence is of such nature which is punishable under section 377 of Indian penal code may be punished with life imprisonment

Conclusion-

It can be concluded that the commission of both theft and extortion is an offence punishable under the Indian penal code. There is a line difference between both of them.  Theft is an offence in which movable property of a person is taken away and it is taken away without his consent.