268. The attention of the Court is drawn to the necessity of passing sentences of special severity in cases where any portion of the permanent way of a railway is removed from its place and stolen. A theft of this kind is specially heinous not on account of the value of the property stolen which is frequently trifling but on account of the terrible risk which it is likely to cause to life and property. If such cases the value of the property stolen is no criterion of the proper measure of punishment. Cases of wrecking or attempting to wreck a train punishable under Section 126 of the Indian Railways Act (IX of 1890) similarly require sentences of special severity.
