Stealing manhole covers in China may lead to death sentence

The guideline comprises 12 articles mainly including punishments of ordinary criminal crimes

BEIJING (Web Desk) – The Chinese government has increased maximum punishment for stealing manhole covers and the thieves could now face death penalty for the offense.

A joint statement was released in this regard by the country’s top judicial bodies – The Supreme People’s Court, The Supreme People’s Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security – to begin issuing the harsher punishments.

Wan Chun, an official from the Supreme People’s Procuratorate said, “Manhole covers are often ignored, but they very much relate to people’s lives, personal safety and property security.”

“Stealing or destroying a manhole cover cannot be just identified as committing crimes of theft or destroying property. Instead, the offenders should be given harsher punishment.”

The maximum sentence for both damaging or stealing a manhole cover under Chinese law is now the death penalty, in the case where someone is killed or injured as a result.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, “The guideline comprises 12 articles, mainly including punishments of ordinary criminal crimes such as theft and destruction of manhole covers as well as crimes of dereliction of duty related to manhole covers.”

“Specifically, based on the locations and behaviors, those stealing or destroying manhole covers may be punished as the crime of sabotaging traffic facility, the crime of endangering public safety by dangerous means, the crime of intentionally inflicting injuries, the crime of intentionally committing homicide, the crime of stealing, or the crime of intentionally destroying or damaging money or property.

“Meanwhile, those working in state organs who fail to do their job or abuse their power when engaged in manhole cover procurement, construction, acceptance checks, use and inspection, causing heavy losses to public money or property or the interests of the state and the people, will be punished in accordance with the standards for the crimes of dereliction of duty and abuse of power.

“The staff of companies, enterprises and public institutions responsible for managing manhole covers who are seriously irresponsible and cause accidents, resulting in serious injury or death, shall be convicted of negligently causing severe injury or death in accordance with the law.”