Section 317 of BNS : Section 317: Stolen property.

Explanation using Example

Example 1:

Ravi, a shopkeeper in Delhi, buys a second-hand laptop from a stranger at a very low price. Ravi does not ask for any proof of ownership or receipt. Later, it is discovered that the laptop was stolen from a nearby office. Ravi is charged under Section 317(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 for dishonestly receiving stolen property, as he had reason to believe the laptop was stolen due to the unusually low price and lack of documentation.

Example 2:

Sunita, a resident of Mumbai, finds a gold necklace in a park and decides to keep it without reporting it to the police. The necklace was actually stolen during a house burglary in the same area. Sunita is charged under Section 317(5) for voluntarily assisting in concealing stolen property, as she knew or had reason to believe the necklace was stolen.

Example 3:

Amit, a businessman in Kolkata, regularly buys goods from a supplier who is known to be involved in dacoity (armed robbery). Amit is aware of the supplier's criminal background but continues to purchase goods at a lower price. Amit is charged under Section 317(3) for dishonestly receiving property from a person he knows to belong to a gang of dacoits.

Example 4:

Ramesh, a pawnshop owner in Chennai, frequently buys and sells items without verifying their origin. Over time, it is found that many of the items in his shop are stolen. Ramesh is charged under Section 317(4) for habitually dealing in stolen property, as he regularly engages in transactions involving stolen goods.

Example 5:

Priya, a college student in Bangalore, is given a stolen mobile phone by her friend. Priya knows the phone is stolen but decides to keep it and use it. Priya is charged under Section 317(2) for dishonestly retaining stolen property, as she knew the phone was stolen when she decided to keep it.