IPC Section 454
IPC Section 454 – Lurking House-trespass or House-breaking in order to commit grave offense
What It Says
Section 454 deals with the most serious forms of house-trespass or house-breaking, specifically when it is done with the intent to commit a serious offense like murder, robbery, rape, or grievous hurt inside the house.
Key Elements
House-breaking or House-trespass
House-trespass: Entering someone’s house without permission.
House-breaking: Entering a house by force, or by removing any part of the house (door, window, lock, etc.).
Intent to Commit a Grave Offense
The act must be done with the intent to commit a serious crime inside the house.
“Grave offense” can include:
Murder
Robbery
Rape
Grievous hurt
Punishment
Section 454 considers it very serious and prescribes imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of up to 10 years, plus a fine.
Example / Illustration
A person breaks into a house at night intending to murder the owner – falls under Section 454.
Someone enters a house forcibly with intent to commit rape – punished under this section.
Entering a house to commit theft without intent to commit a grave offense → falls under Section 457 (less severe than 454).
Purpose of Section 454
Protects individuals from serious crimes committed inside homes.
Differentiates between ordinary theft/house-trespass and house-breaking with intent to commit severe crimes, giving harsher punishment for the latter.
✅ In short: Section 454 IPC punishes anyone who breaks into or trespasses a house with the intent to commit a grave crime inside, with life imprisonment or up to 10 years and fine.
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