Question

'A' causes cattle to enter upon the field belonging to 'Z', intending to cause and knowing that he is likely to cause damage to 'Z's' crop. 'A' has committed:

• A. Mischief
• B. Criminal trespassing
• C. Criminal breach of trust
• D. Extortion

Hint:

Mischief (S.425) is about damaging property and diminishing its value. Criminal Trespass (S.441) is about a person unlawfully entering property. Here, the focus is on the damage to the crops, making it mischief.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

This act fits the definition of 'Mischief' under Section 425 of the IPC. The essential ingredients of mischief are: (1) intending to cause, or knowing that one is likely to cause, wrongful loss or damage to the public or any person; (2) causing the destruction of any property, or any such change in any property that diminishes its value or utility. By causing cattle to enter and damage Z's crop, A has intentionally caused a change that diminishes the crop's value, resulting in wrongful loss to Z. This is a classic example of mischief. It is not criminal trespass, as trespass requires the entry of a person, not an animal.