Supreme Court of India

K N Mehra v State of Rajasthan

decided 1957-02-11 (reporter citation not confirmed)19571 min read
The case in brief30-second read
Facts
Mehra and another cadet at the Indian Air Force academy took a Harvard training aircraft without authority, before the permitted time, and flew it to Pakistan.
Issue
Whether taking the aircraft was theft under S.378 IPC.
Held
The theft conviction was upheld. There was no consent, and dishonest intention existed when the aircraft was moved; even temporary unauthorised use causing wrongful gain or loss is enough.
Principle
Theft does not require intention to deprive permanently; temporary dishonest removal suffices.
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Facts

  • Mehra and another cadet at the Indian Air Force academy took a Harvard training aircraft without authority, before the permitted time, and flew it to Pakistan.

Issue

  1. Whether taking the aircraft was theft under S.378 IPC.

Held

  • The theft conviction was upheld. There was no consent, and dishonest intention existed when the aircraft was moved; even temporary unauthorised use causing wrongful gain or loss is enough.

Cite this

Citation

K N Mehra v State of Rajasthan decided 1957-02-11 (reporter citation not confirmed)

Reported: https://api.sci.gov.in/jonew/judis/674.pdf ; https://indiankanoon.org/doc/684379/. This is an educational summary, not the judgment itself. Cite the reported version in professional or academic work.