Dacoity (Section 391 IPC) is uniquely structured as an offense that can be punished at four stages: (1) when five or more persons assemble for dacoity, (2) when such assembly proceeds to commit dacoity, (3) when the actual dacoity is committed, and (4) when any member of the group commits murder or hurt during dacoity. This multi-stage punishability distinguishes dacoity from robbery (Section 390), murder (Section 300), and rape (Section 375), which are primarily punishable upon completion.