Snatching
Section 304 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deals with snatching. 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. The Act came into force on 01 Jul 2024.
(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.
Section 304, The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act 45 of 2023).
How this offence is classified
From the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which classifies every offence under the Sanhita. Cognizable means a police officer may arrest without warrant; bailable means bail is a matter of right rather than of the court's discretion.
| Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snatching. | Imprisonment for 3 years and fine. | Cognizable. | Non-bailable. | Any Magistrate. |
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Nikesh Nagesh Chari vs State of Goa
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
The pendency of a Test Identification Parade and the alleged involvement in other crimes are not sufficient grounds for the rejection of bail when custodial interrogation is no longer required.
On this section: Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 304
What have the courts held on Section 304 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?
Nikesh Nagesh Chari vs State of Goa (04 Aug 2025) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Is Section 304 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita bailable?
Non-bailable, under the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Is Section 304 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita cognizable?
Cognizable. "Cognizable" means a police officer may arrest without warrant; "non-cognizable" that they may not. An offence under this section is triable by Any Magistrate.
How do I find court cases under Section 304 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: BNS 304, section 304 BNS, section 304 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. People searching for it also type bns 304a and bns 304 2 in hindi. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Nikesh Nagesh Chari vs State of Goa (04 Aug 2025).
When did Section 304 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita come into force?
Section 304 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, cited as BNS 304, came into force on 01 Jul 2024, having been enacted on 25 Dec 2023. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 2. Definitions2199 words
- 356. Defamation1543 words
- 335. Making a false document1318 words
- 101. Murder1177 words
- 303. Theft1104 words
- 3. General explanations858 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.