IPC Section 407
IPC Section 407 – Criminal Breach of Trust by carrier, etc.
Section 407 IPC deals with criminal breach of trust committed by a person responsible for the safe carriage, custody, or delivery of property.
Key Points:
Who is liable?
Any person who is entrusted with property for the purpose of transportation, custody, or delivery, such as:
Carriers (like transporters or delivery agents)
Servants or employees responsible for custody
Any agent handling property on behalf of the owner
Nature of the offence
The offence occurs when such a person dishonestly misappropriates, converts, or uses the property for personal purposes instead of delivering it as entrusted.
This is a special type of criminal breach of trust, focusing on entrustment for delivery or custody.
Punishment
Imprisonment up to 3 years, or
Fine, or
Both.
Difference from general criminal breach of trust (Sec. 406 IPC)
Sec. 406 applies to any criminal breach of trust, regardless of profession or duty.
Sec. 407 specifically applies to persons entrusted with property for transport, custody, or delivery.
Examples
A courier service employee receives a parcel for delivery but opens it and steals the contents.
Punishable under Sec. 407 IPC.
A warehouse manager entrusted with goods misappropriates them for personal gain.
Liable under this section.
A driver is entrusted to deliver money to a bank but keeps it for himself.
Covered under Section 407 IPC.
Purpose of Section 407 IPC
To protect property entrusted for delivery or transport.
To ensure people in fiduciary or custodial positions act honestly.
Provides a specific legal remedy for misuse of trust in professional or business duties.
Conclusion
Section 407 IPC punishes criminal breach of trust committed by carriers, agents, or custodians of property, with imprisonment up to 3 years, fine, or both.
Focus is on dishonest conversion of entrusted property while in charge of delivery or custody.
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