What is the punishment prescribed for petty organised crime under Section 112 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ?

Section 112 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, introduces the specific category of "petty organised crime." This section addresses offences such as theft, snatching, cheating, unauthorized selling of tickets, or gambling when committed by members of a group or gang.

According to Section 112(2), the prescribed punishment for committing petty organised crime is imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to seven years, and the offender shall also be liable to a fine. This provision is distinct from Section 111 (Organised Crime), which deals with more severe syndicates and carries harsher penalties, including life imprisonment or death. The inclusion of Section 112 aims to provide a more effective legal framework to curb frequent, localized gang-related activities that impact public safety.