What punishment does the law prescribe for theft when the offender prepares to cause hurt or death?

In detail

Section 307 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deals with theft that is accompanied by a plan to cause death, hurt, restraint, or the fear of any of these to the victim. If a person commits theft while having prepared a weapon, hired helpers, or taken any step that could cause such harm or fear, the law treats this as a more serious crime. The provision covers three situations: preparing the violence to commit the theft, preparing it to escape after the theft, or preparing it to keep the stolen property. The punishment for this enhanced offence is rigorous imprisonment for a term that may extend up to ten years, and the court may also impose a fine. The illustrations in the section show that carrying a loaded pistol to hurt a victim or posting companions to restrain a victim both fall under this offence.