Explanation
According to the principle given, there are 3 main essentials required for committing theft. These essentials or ingredients are-
That the taking away of the property must be done dishonestly.-Dishonesty, as defined in section 24of IPC, consists of two main ingredients it says that an act is done which cause either ‘wrongful gain' or ‘wrongful loss' is said to be done dishonestly. Dishonesty must have the element of mens rea to cause loss or gain to oneself.
That there should be an intention of taking property from the possession of another. Such intention must be to cause wrongful gain to oneself or wrongful loss to another.
The principle says that a child below 12 years age is not guilty of any offence. With the exception that a child might be guilty of committing an offence if he is mature enough to understand the nature and consequences of the acts. Here, Sahil is of 10 years that is below the age of 12 years. Therefore, the next step must be to see whether he understands the nature and consequence of this act of stealing the gold coin. Clearly, neither Sahil nor Rachna are mature enough to understand the nature of their acts since, Sahil gave the coin to Rachna who thought it to be one of her toys and places it with her other toys. Henceforth, none of them is liable for offence.
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