Whoever, intending to take dishonestly any movable property out of the possession of another person without that person's consent, moves that property to accomplish the taking, commits theft.
- "Movement" of the property (even slight) with dishonest intent is what completes the offence — not necessarily getting away with it.
This is the basic theft offence; more specific, harsher provisions apply for theft in a dwelling house or theft by sudden force (snatching).
Keep exploring
Snatching
If your phone, bag or jewellery was grabbed off you suddenly on the street, this — not just generic theft — is the specific offence that fits.
Theft in a Dwelling House
A burglary-style theft into your home is treated as more serious than street theft, reflecting the added violation of your living space.
This is a plain-English summary, not verbatim statutory text. Adhikar is an independent citizen-awareness platform, not a Government of India website. Always verify against the bare Act (legislative.gov.in) or a qualified advocate before relying on this for an actual legal situation.