dacoity
Dacoity is an aggravated form of robbery. When five or more persons conjointly commit or attempt a robbery, or when the persons committing, attempting or aiding it number five or more in all, every one of them commits dacoity. The count includes those present and aiding as well as those who lay hands on the property.
The offence is now in s.310 BNS (old ss.391, 395, 396, 399 and 402 IPC), which also covers dacoity with murder, preparation and assembling for dacoity. Students often confuse it with robbery: the only extra ingredient is the number of persons. If the court acquits some accused so that fewer than five remain, the others can be convicted of dacoity only if it is proved that other, unidentified persons took part.
Example
Since six armed men took part in looting the bus, the offence is dacoity under s.310(1) BNS and not mere robbery.
In Indian law
- Section 310 BNS (old ss.391 and 395 IPC): definition and punishment of dacoity
- Section 309 BNS (old s.390 IPC): robbery, the offence dacoity builds on
See also
Read more in the study notes
- Jurisdiction in inquiries and trials, evidence, and general provisions as to inquiries and trials (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita)
- Compounding of offences and plea bargaining (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita)
- Crime: meaning, elements and stages (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)
- General exceptions: consent, good faith, compulsion and trifles (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)
- Criminal conspiracy and attempt (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)
- Theft and snatching (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)