Essay on Difference Between Intention and Motive !
It shall not be out of place to draw a distinction between intent and motive at this place. The motive behind a criminal act may be ideal but the intention itself might be to cause some harm forbidden under the criminal law. Thus, if a man breaks into his neighbours house to steal away a few loaves of bread from the latter’s kitchen in order to feed his starving children, although his motive to save the children from starvation is good, he shall nevertheless be liable for the offence of theft because his intention to steal away the bread from his neighbours house was wrongful. Thus, it is the intent and not the motive which is usually relevant in criminal cases.
In the Indian context, the substantive offences are defined in the Indian Penal Code which is the sole authority in respect of general conditions of criminal liability with certain exemptions from such liability. Some of these crimes are cognizable while others are non-cognizable. The Penal Code is supplemented by local or special statutes to punish certain categories of anti-social acts or behaviours which are prejudicial to the interests of the community or the State.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
The various offences defined in the Indian Penal Code can broadly be classified into three major heads, namely, (i) crimes against property, (ii) crimes against person, and (iii) crimes against the State. There are in all 511 sections in the Indian Penal Code, 1860. This Penal Code being more than 150 years old, needs to be thoroughly restructured keeping in view the changed socio-economic perspective of justice which is the signature tune of the modern welfare State.