📜 Official Text

(1) Intending to dishonestly take movable property out of someone's possession without their consent, and moving it toward that taking, is "theft". Property attached to earth becomes theft-capable once severed; "moving" includes removing an obstacle, separating from another thing, or causing an animal to move (and everything it moves in turn); consent may be express or implied, from the possessor or someone with authority. (2) Theft is punished with up to 3 years' imprisonment, fine, or both - rising to 1-5 years rigorous imprisonment plus fine on a second/subsequent conviction. First-time theft under ₹5,000, with restitution/return, is punished with community service instead.