Question

Has Lucky committed theft?

• A. Yes, Lucky has committed theft of the newspapers and the painting.
• B. No, Lucky has not committed theft because he had Veena’s consent.
• C. Yes, Lucky has committed theft of the painting, but not of the newspapers.
• D. No, Lucky has not committed theft because he has not moved the painting out of Veena’s possession.
• A. No, Lucky is not guilty of criminal damage as he did not intentionally impair the value of the painting.
• B. Yes, Lucky is guilty of criminal damage as he intentionally stuck the paper on to the painting.
• C. No, Lucky is not guilty of criminal damage as he does not have the painting in his possession anymore.
• D. No, Lucky is not guilty of criminal damage as he has not destroyed the painting.
• A. Yes, he would be guilty of theft of the newspapers and the painting.
• B. No, he would not be guilty of theft.
• C. Yes, he would be guilty of theft of the painting.
• D. None of the above.
• A. No, Kamala is not guilty of theft since the person she took the painting from (Lucky) was not its lawful owner.
• B. No, Kamala is not guilty of theft since she took the painting only with the motive of returning it to Indira.
• C. Yes, Kamala is guilty of theft as she took the painting out of Lucky’s possession without his consent.
• D. None of the above.
• A. Kamala is guilty of criminal damage as the person she took the painting from (Lucky) was not its lawful owner.
• B. Kamala is guilty of criminal damage as she took the painting without Lucky’s consent.
• C. Kamala is not guilty of criminal damage as the painting has not been completely destroyed.
• D. None of the above.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Apply Rule A (Theft)

Theft requires:

Intention to move any property out of another’s possession,
Without that person’s consent.



Step 2: Examine Consent for Newspapers and Painting

Veena explicitly gave consent to throw away the newspapers — hence, no theft of newspapers.
Lucky took the painting without knowing it belonged to someone else and without consent.
Even though it was found in the newspapers, Lucky did not ask for permission about the painting.
Hence, Lucky did commit theft of the painting, as he moved it out of possession without consent.

Step 3: Eliminate Incorrect Options

(a) is incorrect — Lucky had consent to take newspapers.
(b) is incorrect — Veena’s consent covered only newspapers, not the painting.
(d) is incorrect — Lucky clearly moved the painting from the room and took it home.

% Final Answer \[ \boxed{\text{(c)}} \]

Answer 2

Step 1: Apply Rule B and Rule C

Rule B states: A person who intentionally damages any property belonging to another is guilty of criminal damage.
Rule C defines damage as any impairment of the value} of a property.

Step 2: Apply Facts

Lucky stuck the painting onto paper to preserve it. His intent was not malicious, but:
He did so intentionally, and the result was that it reduced the value of the painting by half.
Therefore, even if his intent was to protect the artwork, the result was an impairment of value — meeting the definition of damage.
Since it was not his property, he is guilty under Rule B.

Step 3: Eliminate Incorrect Options

(a) is incorrect — intention to impair value is not necessary; intentional act leading to impairment is sufficient.
(c) is irrelevant — current possession is not a factor in determining past criminal damage.
(d) is incorrect — destruction is not the only form of damage; value reduction also counts.

% Final Answer \[ \boxed{\text{(b)}} \]

Answer 3

Step 1: Apply Rule A (Definition of Theft)

Rule A: Theft is moving any moveable property out of someone’s possession without their consent}.
The moment Lucky intends to remove and moves the painting from Veena’s room without consent, theft is complete.

Step 2: Consider the Change in Circumstance

In the original fact pattern, Lucky found the painting outside the house in a pile of rubbish, which weakens the argument for theft.
But if Lucky had discovered the painting inside the house, before carrying anything out — then he:

Saw the painting,
Knew it belonged to Indira or Veena,
And still removed it without anyone’s consent.


This clearly qualifies as theft of the painting, per Rule A.

Step 3: Assess if Newspapers are Also Theft

Veena had consented to disposal of the newspapers — so their removal is not theft.
So Lucky is not guilty of theft of newspapers, only the painting.

Step 4: Eliminate Incorrect Options

(a) is wrong — newspapers were consented for removal.
(b) is wrong — Rule A is violated with respect to the painting.
(d) is wrong — (c) is fully correct.

% Final Answer \[ \boxed{\text{(c)}} \]

Answer 4

Step 1: Refer to Rule A (Definition of Theft)

Theft occurs when any moveable property is removed out of someone’s possession without their consent.
Importantly, legal ownership is not a requirement — possession is sufficient.

Step 2: Apply Facts to the Rule

Lucky had the painting in his possession.
Kamala entered Lucky’s house without permission and removed the painting from his possession.
Regardless of her intent to return it to Indira, she acted without Lucky’s consent, which satisfies the definition of theft.

Step 3: Eliminate Incorrect Options

(a) is incorrect — possession, not ownership, is key to the theft rule.
(b) is incorrect — motive does not override lack of consent.
(d) is incorrect — (c) is correct.

% Final Answer \[ \boxed{\text{(c)}} \]

Answer 5

Step 1: Understand Rule B and C

Rule B defines criminal damage as an act where a person, without lawful excuse, damages any property belonging to another intending to cause such damage.
Rule C defines damage as any impairment of the value of a property.

Step 2: Apply the Facts

Kamala removed the painting without Lucky’s consent — this shows she acted without lawful excuse.
Even if she didn’t destroy the painting, her act of taking it without permission interferes with the property rights and possession.
This interference qualifies as a form of damage because it deprives the current possessor of use and control, thereby impairing value.

Step 3: Eliminate Incorrect Options

(a) is incorrect — ownership is irrelevant. Consent of the possessor (Lucky) is key.
(c) is incorrect — complete destruction is not necessary. Even reduction in value or interference is enough.
(d) is incorrect — (b) is the most reasonable inference.

% Final Answer \[ \boxed{\text{(b)}} \]