According to Section 378 of the Indian Penal Code, theft is defined as the dishonest taking of "moveable property" out of the possession of any person without their consent.
Step 1: Understand what theft requires
For an act to qualify as theft, the property involved must be capable of being moved (i.e., moveable).
Step 2: Analyze the options
- Option (A): “a moveable property” is a generic term that includes all tangible objects like goods, cattle, and currency. This fits the legal definition.
- Option (B): “gold only” is specific and too narrow; theft can apply to many kinds of property, not just gold.
- Option (C): “cattles only” are moveable, but again, too limited in scope.
- Option (D): “currency notes only” also fall under moveable property but do not encompass all items subject to theft.
Therefore, only option (A) correctly expresses the essential element in general terms.