Whoever takes or agrees or consents to take any gratification under pretence or on account of helping any person to recover any movable property of which he shall have been deprived by any offence punishable under this Code, shall, unless he uses all means in his power to cause the offender to be apprehended and convicted of the offence, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
IPC Section 215: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 215 of the Indian Penal Code addresses the offence of taking a gift or other gratification to help recover stolen property. It criminalizes any act where a person takes or agrees to take any form of gratification, not intending to restore the stolen property to the owner but to assist in recovering such property by the offender who stole it or by someone on his behalf.
This section aims to prevent any form of incentivized mediation that facilitates the recovery of stolen property by bypassing the legal system and thereby obstructing justice.
Is IPC Section 215 bailable?
Yes, IPC Section 215 is a bailable offence. This means that an individual accused under this section has the right to seek bail from the court, and the court is likely to grant bail as per the legal provisions.
IPC Section 215 Punishment
The punishment for an offence under IPC Section 215 is imprisonment for a term that may extend to two years, a fine, or both. The law treats this offence seriously to ensure that individuals do not profit from criminal activities and that the legal process is respected.
Example of IPC Section 215
Consider a scenario where Mohan has stolen a valuable piece of jewellery from a house. Mohan’s friend, Raju, learns about the theft and approaches the owner of the jewellery, offering to help recover it in exchange for a reward. Raju’s intention is not to restore the stolen jewellery directly to the owner but to assist Mohan in returning it under the guise of being helpful for a price. Raju’s act of seeking a reward for facilitating the recovery of stolen property constitutes an offence under IPC Section 215.
In another instance, imagine a case where a person, Anjali, has stolen a laptop from an office. Anjali’s accomplice, Priya, contacts the office and promises to help them recover the computer if they pay her a certain amount. Priya does not intend to return the laptop herself but aims to help Anjali recover it in exchange for money. Priya’s actions would also fall under IPC Section 215, making her liable for prosecution under this section.
