Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 413
repealedHabitually dealing in stolen property
Whoever habitually receives or deals in property which he knows or has reason to believe to be stolen property, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Why this exists
This section targets repeat offenders who make dealing in stolen goods a regular activity or business, rather than a one-off act. Because habitual dealers create an ongoing market that encourages theft and organized crime, the law treats this as more serious than a single instance of receiving stolen property, hence the much heavier punishment. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, this corresponds to Section 317(4).
How courts read it
Courts require evidence of a pattern or repeated conduct showing the accused habitually receives or deals in stolen goods, not just an isolated transaction, distinguishing this from the lighter offence in Section 411 which can apply even to a single instance.
Common misconceptions
- Myth: This section applies the same way as the general offence of receiving stolen property.
Fact: This section specifically requires proof of habitual conduct, a repeated pattern over time, which is why its punishment is far more severe than the general provision for a single act.