Difference Between theft (S. 378) and Criminal Breach of Trust (S. 405) are as follows:
1) In theft, the property is taken away by the wrongdoer without the owner’s knowledge while in the criminal breach of trust the property is given on trust and it is dishonestly misappropriated or used or disposed of in violation of law.
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2) In theft, only movable property can be involved whereas in the criminal breach of trust, both movable and immovable property can be involved.
3) In theft, there is no prior lawful possession. The offence is completed as soon as the property is dishonestly taken away. However, in criminal breach of trust, prior to the offence the offender is himself in possession of the property, and the offence is completed when he dishonestly converts the same to his own use.
4) The punishment for theft is 3 years imprisonment and/or fine and the punishment for criminal breach of trust is also 3 years of imprisonment and/or fine.