Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 439
repealedPunishment for intentionally running vessel aground or ashore with intent to commit theft, etc.
Whoever intentionally runs any vessel aground or ashore, intending to commit theft of any property contained therein or to dishonestly misappropriate any such property, or with intent that such theft or misappropriation of property may be committed, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Why this exists
This section targets a particular scheme of maritime theft: instead of boarding a moving vessel to steal from it, wrongdoers deliberately wreck or beach the vessel to create a chance to loot its cargo. Because this combines property damage with an intent to steal, and can endanger the vessel and crew, the law punishes it as severely as other serious mischief and theft offences.