Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 444
repealedLurking house-trespass by night
Whoever commits lurking house-trespass after sunset and before sunrise, is said to commit “lurking house-trespass by night”.
Why this exists
Night-time intrusions into homes are treated as more alarming and dangerous than daytime ones, because darkness increases the risk of violence, makes detection harder, and heightens the fear experienced by occupants who may be asleep and vulnerable. This section creates the specific 'by night' category so that later sections can impose heavier punishments for trespass committed under cover of darkness.