Section 304 BNS: Snatching

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 304 BNS at a Glance

Section 304 BNS deals with snatching.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years.

Section 304 BNS Bare Act Text

(1) Theft is snatching if, in order to commit theft, the offender suddenly or quickly or forcibly seizes or secures or grabs or takes away from any person or from his possession any movable property.
(2) Whoever commits snatching, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Source: Section 304, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Previous Law (IPC)

Section 304 BNS is a new provision with no equivalent in the Indian Penal Code. It introduces snatching as a distinct offence punishable with imprisonment of either description up to three years, and the offender is also liable to fine.

FAQs on Section 304 BNS

What is snatching under Section 304 BNS?▼

Section 304 BNS says theft becomes snatching when, to commit theft, a person suddenly, quickly, or forcibly seizes, secures, grabs, or takes away movable property from a person or from that person's possession. The focus is on taking the property directly from the person or their possession in that sudden, quick, or forceful way.

What does the police have to prove for snatching under Section 304 BNS?▼

To make out snatching under Section 304 BNS, it must be shown that there was theft of movable property and that, for committing that theft, the accused suddenly, quickly, or forcibly took it from a person or from that person's possession. So the taking and the manner of taking are both important under the section.

What is the punishment for snatching under Section 304 BNS?▼

Section 304 BNS provides punishment of imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and also liability to fine. The exact sentence in a case depends on the facts and the court's decision.

How is snatching different from ordinary theft under Section 304 BNS?▼

Under Section 304 BNS, snatching is not just any theft. It is theft where the offender suddenly, quickly, or forcibly takes movable property from a person or from that person's possession, so this direct manner of taking is what makes it snatching.

What is snatching under Section 304(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

Snatching means a theft where the offender suddenly, quickly, or forcibly seizes, secures, grabs, or takes away movable property from a person or from that person’s possession. The definition is given in Section 304(1) BNS, and Section 304(2) BNS provides the punishment for committing it.

What has to be proved for a snatching case under Section 304(2) BNS?▼

It has to be shown that there was theft, and that to commit that theft, the offender suddenly, quickly, or forcibly took away movable property from a person or from that person’s possession. The act text focuses on the manner of taking and the fact that the property is movable.

What is the punishment for snatching under Section 304(2) of the BNS?▼

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and also liability to fine. The exact sentence in a case depends on the court.

Under Section 304(2) BNS, how is snatching different from ordinary theft?▼

Snatching is a specific kind of theft. Under Section 304(1) BNS, it becomes snatching when, in order to commit theft, the offender suddenly, quickly, or forcibly grabs or takes away movable property from a person or from that person’s possession.

Section 304 BNS: Sub-sections Explained

Section 304(1) BNS: Snatching

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Bare Act Text

(1) Theft is snatching if, in order to commit theft, the offender suddenly or quickly or forcibly seizes or secures or grabs or takes away from any person or from his possession any movable property.

Explained in Simple Words

Section 304 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) defines and punishes the offence of snatching. Under sub-section (1), theft amounts to snatching when, in order to commit theft, an offender suddenly, quickly, or forcibly seizes, secures, grabs, or takes away any movable property from any person or from that person's possession. The provision applies to anyone who takes movable property in this direct manner with the dishonest intention required for theft.

Under sub-section (2), whoever commits snatching is punishable with imprisonment of either description, which may be simple or rigorous, for a term that may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine. Because the law says the offender is liable to fine, a fine may be imposed in addition to imprisonment at the court's discretion.

For a reader, two points are important. First, the act must be done in order to commit theft, so taking one's own property under a genuine mistake does not qualify. Second, what separates snatching from ordinary theft is the sudden, quick, or forcible grabbing or taking of movable property directly from a person or from their possession.

Key Ingredients

There is theft
The act is done in order to commit that theft
The offender seizes, secures, grabs or takes away moveable property
The property is taken from a person or from that person's possession
The taking is sudden, quick or forcible

Punishment

🔒 Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years.

💰 Fine may be imposed in addition to imprisonment.

Whoever commits snatching by suddenly, quickly, or forcibly seizing, securing, grabbing, or taking away movable property from a person or their possession in order to commit theft is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to three years and is also liable to fine.

Real-World Example

Near Benz Circle in Vijayawada, Anjali was walking to an auto stand with her phone in hand and a small purse under her arm. Imran came up from behind and, in one quick movement, grabbed the purse from her possession and ran. Rakesh, who was standing outside a tea stall, saw that the purse was taken suddenly and without Anjali's consent. This falls within the section because moveable property was taken from a person or from her possession by suddenly or quickly grabbing it in order to commit theft.

When This Does Not Apply

Property is taken dishonestly but not from any person or from that person's possession, for example a phone stolen from an empty shop counter
There is a dispute over ownership or possession, and theft itself is not made out
Property is obtained by cheating or deception rather than by suddenly, quickly or forcibly grabbing it from a person or possession
There is only an attempt to grab the property, but nothing is actually seized or taken away

Section 304(2) BNS: Snatching

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Bare Act Text

(2) Whoever commits snatching, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Explained in Simple Words

Section 304(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) prescribes the punishment for the offence of snatching. It applies to any person who commits snatching as defined in Section 304(1) BNS, which is theft committed by suddenly, quickly, or forcibly seizing, securing, grabbing, or taking away any movable property from a person or from that person's possession.

Under Section 304(2) BNS, whoever commits snatching shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine. Imprisonment of either description means the court can impose either simple imprisonment or rigorous imprisonment up to the three-year maximum. Because the sub-section states that the offender shall also be liable to fine, a fine may be added to the prison sentence.

A reader should note that this punishment applies only when all requirements of snatching are proved, namely that there was theft of movable property and that the taking from the person or their possession was sudden, quick, or forcible.

Key Ingredients

There is theft of moveable property
The property is taken from a person or from his possession
The offender suddenly or quickly or forcibly seizes, secures, grabs or takes it away
The sudden, quick or forcible taking is done in order to commit the theft

Punishment

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

🔒 Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years.

💰 Fine may be imposed in addition to imprisonment.

Whoever commits snatching is punishable under Section 304(2) BNS with imprisonment of either description for up to three years and is also liable to fine.

Real-World Example

Near New Market in Bhopal, Swati was walking with Anjali after shopping, holding her mobile phone in her hand. Imran came close on foot, suddenly grabbed the phone from Swati’s hand and ran away. The phone was moveable property, and it was taken from Swati’s possession. The taking was not slow or accidental. It was a sudden grabbing done in order to commit theft. On these facts, the act falls within snatching under this section.

When This Does Not Apply

A person honestly takes his own phone back from another person, so there is no theft
Property is quietly stolen from an unattended bag on a bench, without sudden, quick or forcible grabbing from any person or from his possession
A phone is picked up by mistake believing it to be one’s own, so the taking is not theft
A person receives or keeps property after someone else has stolen it; that is not snatching by that person

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 15 Oct 2026 ·