When five or more persons conjointly commit or attempt to commit a robbery, or where the whole number of persons conjointly committing or attempting to commit a robbery, and persons present and aiding such commission or attempt, amount to five or more, every person so committing, attempting or aiding, is said to commit “dacoity”.
IPC Section 391: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 391 defines the offence of dacoity. This section specifies that when five or more individuals conspire or act together to commit robbery, the crime is classified as dacoity. The essence of this offence lies in a group’s collective intention and action to execute a robbery, making it more severe and dangerous due to the number of people involved and the potential for escalated violence and intimidation.
Is IPC Section 391 bailable?
IPC Section 391 is non-bailable. Given the organized nature of the crime and the heightened risk to public safety and property, dacoity is considered a serious offence that necessitates judicial oversight for bail decisions.
IPC Section 391 Punishment
The punishment for dacoity under IPC Section 391 is rigorous imprisonment for a term ranging from 7 to 10 years and a liability to a fine. The law considers the organized and potentially more violent nature of the crime compared to individual robbery, thereby imposing a significant penalty.
Example of IPC Section 391
A real-life example of IPC Section 391 occurred when a group of seven individuals targeted a remote farmhouse. They arrived under the cover of night and forcefully entered the property, threatening the family with weapons and demanding money and valuables. The family was restrained while the dacoits looted the house. Neighbours alerted the police, who managed to apprehend the group as they attempted to flee. Due to the number of people involved and their actions, they were charged with dacoity under IPC Section 391. In court, they received sentences of 10 years in prison , along with fines, reflecting the severity of their collective criminal actions and the harm they caused to the victims.
