Dishonestly receiving stolen property

Is BNS Section 317 bailable?

This is a bailable offence, meaning bail can generally be granted as a matter of right by the police or the court.

What is the punishment under this section?

Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both. Courts have discretion based on the facts of each case, and the actual outcome can vary.

Can a case under this section be compounded (settled)?

No — this is a non-compoundable offence. The complainant cannot withdraw the case by private settlement; prosecution continues regardless of any compromise.

Does "reason to believe" require actual knowledge?

No — as under the earlier IPC provision, reason to believe is a lower threshold than proof of actual knowledge, and can be established through suspicious surrounding circumstances alone.

Can a shopkeeper be charged under this section for buying stolen goods unknowingly?

Only if the circumstances gave them reason to believe the goods were stolen — genuinely unknowing and reasonable purchases, made without any suspicious indicators, would not meet the threshold for this offence.

Is this compoundable, and if so under what conditions?

This offence is generally treated as non-compoundable, consistent with its treatment under the earlier IPC Section 411, given the underlying stolen property it involves.