Detailed Comparison of Similar Offences under
Pakistan Penal Code (PPC)
Kidnapping vs Abduction
These two offences are often confused. The following table provides at least 10 points of distinction:
No. Kidnapping (S.359–361) Abduction (S.362)
1 Taking away from lawful guardianship or from Pakistan without
Compelling
guardian’s
or deceiving
consent.
a person to move from one place to an
2 Victim must be a minor (boys <14, girls <16, or unsound Victim
mind) or
can
taken
be any
abroad.
person (minor or adult).
3 Consent of minor is irrelevant; guardian’s consent [Link] obtained by force/fraud is invalid.
4 No need for force or deceit. Always involves force, compulsion, or deceit.
5 Offence complete the moment minor is taken away. Offence is continuing as long as person is moved.
6 Simple act of taking is enough, even if child goes willingly.
Requires inducement, compulsion, or threat.
7 Object is to protect guardianship rights. Object is to protect personal liberty.
8 Cannot be committed against an adult of sound mind. Can be committed against adult or minor.
9 Example: A takes a 12-year-old without father’s [Link]: A deceives B (adult) to travel elsewhere.
10 Punishment: Up to 7 years + fine (depending on type of kidnapping).
Punishment: Depends on purpose (e.g., abduction for murder c
Theft vs Robbery vs Dacoity
Theft, robbery and dacoity are related offences but differ in terms of violence and number of
offenders. The following are at least 10 points of difference:
No. Theft (S.378) Robbery (S.390) Dacoity (S.391)
1 Dishonest taking of movable property
Theft/extortion
without consent.
with instant violence
Robbery
or threat.
committed by 5 or more persons.
2 Can be committed secretly withoutMust
violence.
involve violence/fear. Must involve gang of ≥5.
3 One person can commit theft. One or more persons can commit At
robbery.
least 5 persons conjointly.
4 Punishment: up to 3 years + fine. Punishment: up to 10 years + [Link]: death, life imprisonment, or ≥10 y
5 Example: Stealing a mobile secretly.
Snatching mobile with knife threat.6 armed men robbing a house together.
6 No violence required. Violence/threat essential. Violence/threat essential & collective.
7 Protects property rights only. Protects property + personal safety.
Protects property + public safety.
8 Usually an individual act. May be individual or group act. Always a gang crime.
9 Relatively less serious offence. Serious offence. Most serious form of robbery.
10 Not necessarily in victim’s presence.
Always in victim’s presence. Always collective robbery in victim’s presence
Other Property Offences
The following offences are also found in the same chapter of PPC and are often confused with theft
or robbery. Here are their distinctions:
Offence Section Definition Example
Extortion S.383 Putting person in fear of injury and dishonestly inducing delivery
Threatening
of property.
to harm unless money
Cheating S.415 Deceiving a person to deliver property or act unlawfully. Selling fake gold as real gold.
Criminal Misappropriation S.403 Dishonestly converting entrusted/found property to own use.
Keeping lost wallet instead of retur
Criminal Breach of Trust S.405 Dishonest misuse of property entrusted to someone. Agent misusing client’s money.
Receiving Stolen Property S.411 Dishonestly receiving/retaining property knowing it [Link] a stolen bike knowingly.