IPC 403 vs BNS 403
● Retained in BNSDishonest misappropriation of property
Section 403 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, deals with dishonest misappropriation of property. It punishes anyone who dishonestly takes or converts someone else’s property for their own use, without consent, intending to deprive the rightful owner.
Key points:
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Applies when a person dishonestly misappropriates property belonging to another.
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Punishment: Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both.
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Focuses on protecting ownership rights and preventing dishonest conversion of property.
For example, if someone entrusted with goods sells them for personal gain without permission, it constitutes misappropriation under IPC 403. The law ensures protection of property rights and discourages theft-like behavior where the offender initially has lawful possession but acts dishonestly.
Dishonest misappropriation of property
Section 403 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, mirrors IPC 403. It punishes acts where a person dishonestly misappropriates or converts property belonging to another, maintaining the same scope and punishment as IPC 403.
Key points:
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Protects property owners by criminalizing dishonest conversion of property.
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Punishment remains imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both.
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Covers acts where property is entrusted or possessed lawfully but misappropriated dishonestly.
For instance, selling goods entrusted for safekeeping for personal profit falls under BNS 403. This provision ensures legal accountability for dishonest acts, fully aligning with IPC 403.
What changed?
This provision was carried over to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita with substantially the same wording — the section was renumbered from IPC IPC 403 to BNS BNS 403.