Whoever dishonestly receives or retains any stolen property, the possession whereof he knows or has reason to believe to have been transferred by the commission of dacoity, or dishonestly receives from a person, whom he knows or has reason to believe to belong or to have belonged to a gang of dacoity, property which he knows or has reason to believe to have been stolen, shall be punished with *[imprisonment for life], or with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
* Subs. by Act 26 of 1955, sec. 117 and Sch., for "transportation for life" (w.e.f. 1-1-2024).