Dacoity
What this section does
Defines dacoity as robbery committed or attempted by five or more persons (including those present and aiding), and prescribes a range of punishments covering commission, murder during dacoity, preparation, assembly, and membership of a dacoity gang.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Dacoity (commission): imprisonment for life, or rigorous imprisonment up to 10 years, and fine (sub-section 2). Dacoity with murder: death, or imprisonment for life, or rigorous imprisonment not less than 10 years, and fine (sub-section 3). Preparation for dacoity: rigorous imprisonment up to 10 years and fine (sub-section 4). Assembly for dacoity (five or more): rigorous imprisonment up to 7 years and fine (sub-section 5). Belonging to a dacoity gang: imprisonment for life, or rigorous imprisonment up to 10 years, and fine (sub-section 6).
- Triable by
- Sessions Court
- Cognizable
- Yes
- Bailable
- No
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- Five or more persons conjointly committed or attempted to commit robbery, OR the total of persons committing/attempting plus those present and aiding amounts to five or more
- Each such person committing, attempting, or aiding is guilty of dacoity
Practitioner note
Sub-section 3 imposes a mandatory minimum of 10 years rigorous imprisonment (or death/life) where murder is committed during dacoity. Mere membership of a dacoity gang (sub-section 6) is itself an offence punishable with life imprisonment.
- IPC Section 395 — Dacoity
- IPC Section 396 — Dacoity with murder
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 310, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 310 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.