Question:medium

The right of private defense of property against theft continues till:

Updated On: Jul 13, 2026
  • the offender has effected his retreat with the property
  • the assistance of the public authorities is obtained
  • the property has been recovered
  • All of the above
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Section 105 IPC does not give the right of private defence of property against theft an unlimited life; it lists out the specific moments at which the right comes to an end, and the question is really asking us to recall that full list rather than pick just one trigger.

  1. Offender's retreat with the property: once the thief has actually gotten away with the goods, continuing to use force is no longer defensive, it becomes retaliation, so the law cuts the right off here.
  2. Help from public authorities: if the police or another public authority steps in before the thief escapes, the owner is expected to let the law take over rather than keep using force himself.
  3. Recovery of the property: once the stolen property is back in the owner's hands, there is nothing left to defend, so the right naturally ends there too.
  4. All of the above: Section 105 IPC lists all three as independent stopping points for this particular right; none of them is presented as the sole cut-off, so a complete answer needs to include every one of them.

The correct answer is All of the above, since the right of private defence of property against theft can end at any of these three points under Section 105 IPC.

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