Legal Provisions of Section 461 of Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Dishonestly breaking open receptacle containing property:
Dishonestly breaking open a closed receptacle containing property has been punished under this section. The section states that whoever, either dishonestly or with the intention of committing mischief, either breaks open or unfastens any closed receptacle which either contains property or which he believes to contain property, shall be punished with simple or rigorous imprisonment for a term extending up to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Image Source: isleronyc.com
ADVERTISEMENTS:
The section requires that the offender must have intention to cause either wrongful gain, or wrongful loss, or mischief. With such intention he must break open or unfasten any closed receptacle which either contains property or which he believes to contain property. Breaking open a safe or chest and taking away property from it is punishable under sections 379 and 461 of the Code.
The offence under section 461 is cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable, and is triable by any magistrate.