Mischief - offences against property and animal

 

Mischief- Offences against animal and property
Section 425
Speaks about if any person causes damage to any person or public property that in result effects the durability ,physical condition of the property , or reduces the utility of the property or causes damage to it intentionally or with the knowledge that their particular action can cause damage and hence to loss to the other person.

Case laws :

In, Krishna Gopal Singh and Ors. V. the state of U.P -
It was held that, the offence of mischief would not be committed if the accused has not committed an act with the intend to cause wrongful loss or damage to any person or the public at large . It also implies that acts done under any pressure , without the free consent of the accused ,do not come under the ambit of mischief.

Nagendranth Roy v. Bijoy Kumar das Verma

It was held that ,mere negligence is not mischief. Negligence followed with the intention to cause wrongful loss or damage will amount to mischief.

In , Indian Oil corporation v. NEPC India Ltd. and Ors -

It was held that ,the defendant removed the engines of the aircraft hence diminishing its utility and rendering it useless. It was held that the damage cost satisfied all the elements of mischief and this offence of Mischief was constituted.

In , Nagnedranath v. state of Bengal

Accused trespassed an institution and burnt books and records. He also threatened the Staff of the institution saying that he could put a bomb on the institution .It was held that the respondent has conducted mischief as his actions has resulted in the loss of assets of that institution , which would result in loss of the owner of the institution.

Sec 426 speaks about punishment for mischief it can go up to 3 months punishment or fine or both , they are non-cognizable offences , bailable offences ,any magistrate can conduct the trial. They are compoundable offences when only loss or damage is done to an individual.

Section 427 speaks about whoever causes damage that amounts to Rs.50 or more , the punishment can go up to 3 years imprisonment or fine or both . It is a non-cognizable , bailable offence and any magistrate can conduct the trial .
Mischief can be caused with animals, cattle, water supply, public roads, bridges, rivers, channels, public drainage, lighthouse, seamark or landmarks, fire to property or agriculture would also amount to mischief, damage to debt ship or ship with more than 20 tonnes of goods, fire to ship, or mischief committed after preparation for causing death, hurt etc.

Section 428 Speaks about , If any person causes harm to animal of the value of Rs.10 or more in such a way by killing or maiming cattle would amount to mischief .

The mischievous offence would be punished for imprisonment of two years or fine or both.It is a cognizable ,bailable Offence and it is compoundable if the owner of the animal gives consent for the same.

Section 429 speaks about the mischief caused by a person that renders any cattle dead or injured of the value of Rs.50 or more would be sentenced to imprisonment of five years or fine or both it is a cognizable, bailable, any magistrate of first class can conduct the trial.