Section 3. Whoever commits any of the following offences, namely:

3. Whoever commits any of the following offences, namely:— (a) theft, as defined in section 378 of the Indian Penal Code other than theft by a clerk or servant of property in possession of his master; (b) theft in a building, tent or vessel, as defined in section 380 of the said Code; (c) theft after preparation for causing death or hurt, as defined in section 382 of the said Code; 444 and 446 of the said Code, in order to the committing of any offence punishable with whipping under this section; may be punished with whipping in lieu of any punishment to which he may for such offence be liable under the said Code.