IPC Section 391
IPC Section 391 – Punishment for Robbery
What It Says
Section 391 deals with robbery, which is a theft committed with violence or threat of violence. It prescribes the punishment for such acts.
Key Elements
Robbery Defined
Robbery is theft combined with force or threat of force.
Unlike simple theft (Section 378 IPC), robbery involves either:
Actual violence, or
Intent to use violence to steal property.
Property
The act must be committed with respect to property belonging to another person.
Intent
The offender must have the intention to commit theft, and violence or threat is used to facilitate it.
Punishment
Imprisonment for up to 10 years,
Fine, or
Both.
If the robbery is aggravated (e.g., armed robbery), punishment can be even more severe under other related sections (392, 395 IPC).
Example / Illustration
A person snatches a bag from someone by force on the street – robbery under Section 391.
A thief threatens a shopkeeper with a knife to hand over cash – punishable under this section.
Simply taking property without notice or force → simple theft, not Section 391.
Purpose of Section 391
Protects individuals from theft accompanied by violence or threats.
Ensures harsher punishment for theft with force compared to ordinary theft.
Acts as a deterrent against violent crimes for gain.
✅ In short: Section 391 IPC punishes anyone who commits theft with violence or threat of violence (robbery), with imprisonment up to 10 years, fine, or both.
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