Section 127 IPC: Receiving property taken by war or depredation mentioned in sections 125 and 126

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 127 IPC at a Glance

Section 127 IPC deals with receiving property taken by war or depredation mentioned in sections 125 and 126. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by the Court of Session; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 155 BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for up to seven years.

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Court of Session ⓘ
BNS Equivalent

Section 155 →

Section 127 IPC Bare Act Text

127. Receiving property taken by war or depredation mentioned in sections 125 and 126

Whoever receives any property knowing the same to have been taken in the commission of any of the offences mentioned in sections 125 and 126, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine and to forfeiture of the property so received.

Source: Section 127, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 127 IPC in Simple Words

Section 127 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes receiving any property knowing it to have been taken in the commission of an offence mentioned in Sections 125 and 126 IPC, that is, waging war against, or committing depredation on the territory of, a friendly Power.

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, fine, and forfeiture of the property so received.

The offence is cognizable and non-bailable, and it is tried by a Court of Session.

Ingredients of Section 127 IPC

  • The accused received property
  • The property had been taken in the commission of an offence mentioned in Section 125 IPC or Section 126 IPC
  • The accused knew that the property had been so taken

Punishment Under Section 127 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for up to seven years.

Fine

The offender is also liable to fine and to forfeiture of the property so received.

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Court of Session ⓘ

Receiving property taken by war or depredation carries imprisonment of up to seven years, fine and forfeiture of the property.

Example of Section 127 IPC

In 2020, Praveen, a jeweller in Guwahati, accepted custody of a chest of gold ornaments from insurgents who had seized the ornaments while committing depredation on the territory of a Power at peace with the Government of India under Section 126 IPC. Praveen had not participated in the cross-territory attack, but he knew when he received the ornaments that they had been taken in the commission of that depredation. The gold ornaments are subject to forfeiture, and Praveen is punishable under Section 127 IPC.

When Section 127 IPC Does Not Apply

  • The recipient was unaware that the property had been obtained through war or depredation under Section 125 IPC or Section 126 IPC.
  • The property received had been obtained through domestic burglary, extortion, or theft within India rather than an offence mentioned in Section 125 IPC or Section 126 IPC.
  • The person was offered the plundered property but refused to take possession or control of it.

Section 127 IPC in the BNS

Section 127 IPC is now covered under Section 155 BNS.

Section 127 IPC is now Section 155 BNS, with the same words and the same punishment. The only change is that Section 155 BNS refers to Sections 153 and 154 BNS, the offences that replace Sections 125 and 126 IPC.

View detailed comparison (IPC 127 vs BNS 155) →

FAQs on Section 127 IPC

What does Section 127 IPC provide?▼

It punishes receiving any property knowing it to have been taken in the commission of an offence mentioned in Sections 125 and 126 IPC.

What is the punishment under Section 127 IPC?▼

Imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, fine, and forfeiture of the property so received.

Must the accused know where the property came from for Section 127 IPC?▼

Yes. The section applies to a person who receives the property knowing it to have been taken in the commission of one of those offences.

Is an offence under Section 127 IPC cognizable?▼

Yes. The First Schedule to the CrPC makes it cognizable.

Is an offence under Section 127 IPC bailable?▼

No. It is non-bailable.

Which court tries an offence under Section 127 IPC?▼

A Court of Session.

Can an offence under Section 127 IPC be compounded?▼

No. It is not listed in Section 320 CrPC.

Where is Section 127 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

In Section 155 BNS.

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

Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·