Is it legal to keep someone else’s lost property?

It is not entirely legal to keep someone’s lost property, as doing so may amount to Dishonest Appropriation of Property under Section 314 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Liability arises if the finder keeps the property without trying to locate the actual owner. If the finder makes a genuine effort but cannot find the owner, they may be allowed to keep it without liability.

Additionally, Section 315 imposes penalties on anyone who dishonestly misappropriates property of a deceased person who possessed it at the time of death. The law emphasizes honesty and due diligence in handling lost or deceased persons’ property.