What Is BNS Section 330?

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 - Section 330: House-Trespass and House-Breaking

(1) Whoever commits house-trespass having taken precautions to conceal such trespass from any person who has the right to exclude or eject the trespasser from the building, tent, or vessel, is said to commit lurking house-trespass.

(2) A person is said to commit house-breaking if they commit house-trespass by effecting entry into the house or any part of it, or exit from it, in any of the following six ways:

• (a) If they enter or exit through a passage made by themselves or an abettor in order to commit house-trespass.
• (b) If they enter or exit through a passage not intended for human entry, or by scaling or climbing over any wall or building.
• (c) If they open a passage by means not intended by the occupier of the house.
• (d) If they open any lock in order to enter or exit the house after committing house-trespass.
• (e) If they use criminal force, commit assault, or threaten assault while entering or exiting the house.
• (f) If they unfasten a previously fastened passage in order to enter or exit the house.

Explanation: Any out-house or building occupied along with a house, and having immediate internal communication with the house, is considered part of the house under this section.

Illustrations

• (a) A makes a hole through the wall of Z's house and puts his hand through it. This is house-breaking.
• (b) A creeps into a ship through a port-hole between decks. This is house-breaking.
• (c) A enters Z’s house through a window. This is house-breaking.
• (d) A opens a fastened door to enter Z’s house. This is house-breaking.
• (e) A lifts a latch by using a wire through a hole in the door to enter Z's house. This is house-breaking.
• (f) A finds Z's lost key and uses it to open the door of Z’s house. This is house-breaking.
• (g) A knocks Z down at his doorway to force entry into the house. This is house-breaking.
• (h) A threatens Z, the doorkeeper of Y’s house, to deter him from opposing A's entry. This is house-breaking.

Brief Detail

BNS Section 330 defines house-trespass and house-breaking, outlining the various methods that constitute illegal entry or exit with criminal intent, and detailing the differences between these offenses.

Question & Answers

Q1: What is lurking house-trespass under Section 330?

A1: Lurking house-trespass occurs when someone commits house-trespass while taking precautions to conceal the act from a person with the right to exclude or eject them from the property.

Q2: How is house-breaking defined in Section 330?

A2: House-breaking is defined as committing house-trespass by entering or exiting a house in one of six specified ways, such as creating a passage, scaling walls, using force, or threatening the occupants.

Q3: What is the difference between house-trespass and house-breaking?

A3: House-trespass involves unlawful entry into someone's property, while house-breaking involves using specific methods like force, scaling, or opening locked passages to enter or exit a house unlawfully.

Q4: What are examples of house-breaking as per Section 330?

A4: Examples include breaking a wall to enter, climbing through a window, using a lost key to open a door, or forcing one's way in by threatening or assaulting someone at the door.

Example

Example Scenario:

If A breaks through Z’s house wall to enter and commit a theft, this is considered house-breaking under Section 330.

Summary

BNS Section 330 distinguishes between house-trespass and house-breaking, explaining the various methods and criminal intent required for such acts. Lurking house-trespass involves concealing one's trespass, while house-breaking involves more forceful or deceptive methods of entry or exit. Illustrations help clarify the different scenarios in which these crimes are committed.