Under the Explanation to section 111(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, an "organised crime…

Clause (i) of the Explanation to section 111(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) defines an "organised crime syndicate" as "a group of two or more persons who, acting either singly or jointly, as a syndicate or gang indulge in any continuing unlawful activity". A "continuing unlawful activity" is a cognizable offence punishable with imprisonment of three years or more, in respect of which more than one charge-sheet has been filed before a competent Court within the preceding ten years and that Court has taken cognizance.

Five or more persons is the number required for dacoity (section 310), not for an organised crime syndicate; three and seven are not the statutory figure. The BNS has no separate offence of being a thug (formerly s.310 IPC).