Comparison of Similar Offences under Pakistan
Penal Code (PPC)
Kidnapping vs Abduction
No. Kidnapping (S.359–361) Abduction (S.362)
1 Taking away from lawful guardianship / from Pakistan
Compelling
without guardian’s
or deceiving
consent
a person to move from one place to an
2 Victim = Minor (boys <14, girls <16, unsound mind) or
Victim
taken= abroad
Any person (minor or adult)
3 Consent of minor is irrelevant; guardian’s consent counts
Consent 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 movement occurs
6 Simple act of taking is enough Requires inducement, compulsion, or threat
7 Protects guardianship rights Protects personal liberty
8 Cannot be committed against adult of sound mind Can be committed against adult or minor
9 Example: Taking 12-year-old without father’s consent
Example: Deceiving adult to travel elsewhere
10 Punishment: up to 7 years + fine Punishment varies (e.g. abduction for murder = severe)
Theft vs Robbery vs Dacoity
No. Theft (S.378) Robbery (S.390) Dacoity (S.391)
1 Dishonest taking of property without
Theft/extortion
consent with instant violence
Robbery
or threat
committed by 5 or more persons
2 Can be secret (no violence) Must involve violence/fear Must involve gang ≥5
3 One person can commit One or more persons At least five conjointly
4 Punishment: up to 3 years + fine Punishment: up to 10 years + finePunishment: death/life/≥10 years
5 Example: Pickpocket steals quietlySnatching phone with knife threat 6 armed men robbing house
6 No violence needed Violence/threat essential Violence essential & collective
7 Protects property Protects property + personal safety
Protects property + public safety
8 Usually individual act Individual or group act Always gang act
9 Less serious offence More serious Most serious (gang crime)
10 Not always in victim’s presence Always in victim’s presence Always collective robbery in victim’s presence
Other Property Offences
Offence Section Definition
Extortion S.383 Putting person in fear of injury and dishonestly inducing delivery of property
Cheating S.415 Deceiving person to deliver property or act unlawfully
Criminal Misappropriation S.403 Dishonestly converting entrusted/found property to own use
Criminal Breach of Trust S.405 Dishonest misuse of property entrusted to someone
Receiving Stolen Property S.411 Dishonestly receiving/retaining property knowing it stolen