Under Section 304 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, snatching is defined as theft where, in order to commit theft, the offender suddenly or quickly or forcibly seizes or secures or grabs or takes away from any person or from his possession any movable property. The punishment prescribed for snatching is -

Section 304 of the BNS introduces snatching as a distinct offence, a provision absent in the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Sub-section (1) defines snatching: theft is snatching if, in order to commit theft, the offender suddenly or quickly or forcibly seizes or secures or grabs or takes away from any person or from his possession any movable property. The suddenness, quickness or force of the taking distinguishes snatching from ordinary theft, and its commission from the person or his possession gives it a more intrusive character. Sub-section (2) prescribes the punishment: imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.