Petty organised crime
What this section does
Creates the offence of 'petty organised crime', covering acts such as theft (in its various forms), snatching, cheating, unauthorised ticket-selling, unauthorised betting or gambling, and selling of public examination question papers, when committed by a member of a group or gang. The Explanation broadly defines 'theft' to include trick theft, vehicle theft, pick-pocketing, card skimming, shoplifting, and ATM theft.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Imprisonment not less than 1 year up to 7 years, and also liable to fine.
- Triable by
- Magistrate of First Class
- Cognizable
- Yes
- Bailable
- No
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- The accused is a member of a group or gang
- The accused commits, singly or jointly, one of the enumerated acts: theft (including its variants), snatching, cheating, unauthorised ticket-selling, unauthorised betting/gambling, selling public examination question papers, or a similar criminal act
Practitioner note
New provision with no direct IPC equivalent. The mandatory minimum of 1 year makes this non-bailable in practice. The phrase 'any other similar criminal act' gives the provision a broad sweep that may be tested in courts.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 112, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 112 forms part of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita which replaced the Indian Penal Code 1860 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.