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Section 134: Assault or Criminal Force in Attempt to Commit Theft of Property Carried

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita • Chapter VI: Of Offences Affecting the Human Body • Official Statutory Text & Legal Guide

Chapter VI: Of Offences Affecting the Human Body
Any Magistrate
Bailable
Cognizable
Formerly Sec 356 IPC
Section 133 All 358 Sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 135

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 134

Section 134 penalizes assault or use of criminal force in an attempt to commit theft of property which that person is then wearing or carrying, prescribing imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or fine, or both.

  • Attempted Theft: Committed during an attempt to steal property worn or carried by the victim.
  • Physical Force or Menace: Assaulting or pushing the victim to snatch mobile phones, purses, or gold chains.
  • Snatching Predecessor: Forms the traditional statutory bridge between simple theft and aggravated robbery (formerly Section 356 IPC).
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • State of Maharashtra v. Som Nath Thapa (1996) 4 SCC 659: Examined street snatching and assault, noting that physical assault in attempt to steal property carries distinct criminal liability.
  • Pappu v. State of M.P. (2006) 7 SCC 391: Affirmed that snatching property from a person accompanied by physical force satisfies statutory assault criteria.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

In street phone-snatching or purse-snatching prosecutions, Section 134 BNS operates as an effective alternative charge where robbery under Section 309 cannot be proved beyond doubt: establish physical contact during the grab to convict.

Section 133 All 358 Sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 135