What is the punishment prescribed for criminal breach of trust by a pu

What is the punishment prescribed for criminal breach of trust by a public servant, banker, merchant or agent ?

Imprisonment of either description for a term up to three years
Imprisonment of either description for a term up to five years
Imprisonment of either description for a term up to seven years
Imprisonment for life or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend up to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2023
The correct answer is D.
The punishment for criminal breach of trust by a public servant, banker, merchant or agent is specified in Section 409 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). This section deals with a more aggravated form of criminal breach of trust due to the position held by the offender or the nature of their business.
Section 409 of the IPC prescribes that whoever commits criminal breach of trust in their capacity as a public servant, or in the way of their business as a banker, merchant, factor, broker, attorney or agent, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine. Option D accurately reflects this prescribed punishment.