Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 328
Punishment for intentionally running vessel aground or ashore with intent to commit
Whoever intentionally runs any vessel aground or ashore, intending to commit theft of any property contained therein or to dishonestly misappropriate any such property, or with intent that such theft or misappropriation of property may be committed, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine. Of criminal trespass
Why this exists
This section targets a specific method of maritime theft or piracy-like conduct, where wrecking or grounding a vessel is used as a means to more easily plunder its cargo. Because such acts endanger the vessel, its crew, and cargo owners, and can be difficult to distinguish from a genuine accident without proof of intent, the law specifically criminalises deliberately causing a vessel to run aground for theft purposes.