Pickpocketing Law in Nepal

Pickpocketing is a form of theft commonly referred to as pickpocketing secretly steals items such as Wallets, Smartphones, Keys, or other Personal Belongings from another person.

Crimes of Pickpocketing in Nepal repeatedly occur in Crowded Places such as Public Transportation, Streets, or Events.

National Penal Code Section 246 is the Pickpocketing Law in Nepal that has prohibited Pickpocketing considering it as a Crime of Theft.

Its Sub-Section has provided that no individual shall commit or cause to commit pickpocketing in Nepal.

Conditions of Pickpocketing

Section 246(2) has defined the Conditions for Pickpocketing in Nepal.

1. First, Pickpocketing also involves the stealing of cash or property from the pocket of Another Person.
2. Second, The Victim of Pickpocketing can be usually walking on foot, traveling in a vehicle, or staying in a Public Place.
3. Third, The Theft involves the pickpocketing from the purse bag or any other means of the Victim through which Money or other valuables can be stolen.
4. Fourth, it isn’t a requisite in the Crime for the Victim to be aware of the theft either immediately or later.
5. Fifth, the act of Stealing a small amount of money or valuables in a Public Place with or without the Knowledge of the Victim constitutes the Act of Pickpocketing in Nepal.

However, if the individual that commits the crime of Pickpocketing steals money worth more than NPR 10,000 or property valued at more than NPR 10,000, they are considered to have performed Theft and not Pickpocketing.

Punishment for Pickpocketing

Pickpocketing is lightly punished in Nepal. Section 246(3) has provisioned the following Sentences for committing Pickpocketing Crimes in Nepal:

If the Individual has committed Pickpocketing for the First Time, they are liable to a sentence of Imprisonment for not more than One Month or a fine equal to the Stolen amount of both Sentences.

However, if the Criminal conducts repeated Pickpocketing in Nepal, they can be imprisoned for up to 2 Months or fined equal to the amount stolen or sanctioned with both Sentences.

Compensation

The Offender that has been proven to have committed the Crime must compensate the Victim/Owner with an equal amount. However, if the Property has already been sold or transacted, the Offender must pay the Victim with the exact amount.

Statute of Limitation

A Low Statute of Limitation exists as prescribed by Pickpocketing Law in Nepal. According to Section 248, a complaint must be filed 3 Months from the date of the Commission of Offence for Pickpocketing in Nepal.