Indian Penal Code, 1860
108. Abettor
A person abets an
offence, who abets either the commission of an offence, or the commission of an
act which would be an offence, if committed by a person capable by law of
committing an offence with the same intention or knowledge as that of the
abettor.
Explanation 1- The abetment of the illegal omission of an act may amount
to an offence although the abettor may not himself be bound to do that act.
Explanation 2- To constitute the offence of abetment it is not necessary
that the act abetted should be committed, or that the effect requisite to
constitute the offence should be caused.
Illustrations
(a) A instigates B to
murder C. B refuses to do so. A is guilty of abetting B to commit murder.
(b) A instigates B to
murder D. B in pursuance of the instigation stabs D. D recovers from the wound.
A is guilty of instigating B to commit murder.
Explanation 3- lt. is not necessary that the person abetted should be
capable by law of committing an offence, or that he should have the same guilty
intention or intention or knowledge as that of the abettor, or any guilty
intention or knowledge.
Illustrations
(a) A, with a guilty
intention, abets a child or a lunatic to commit an act which would be an
offence, if committed by a person capable by law of committing an offence, and
having the same intention as A. Here A, whether the act be committed or not, is
guilty of abetting an offence.
(b) A, with the
intention of murdering Z, instigates B, a child under seven years of age, to do
an act which causes Z's death. B, in consequence of the abetment, does the act in
the absence of A and thereby causes Z's death. Here, though B was not capable
by law of committing an offence. A is liable to be punished in the same manner
as if B had been capable by law of committing an offence, and had committed
murder and he is therefore subject to the punishment of death.
(c) A instigates B to
set fire to a dwelling-house, B, in consequence of the unsoundness of his mind,
being incapable of knowing the nature of the act, or that he is doing what is
wrong or contrary to law, sets fire to the house in consequence of A’s
instigation B has committed no offence, but A is guilty of abetting the offence
of setting fire to a dwelling-house, and is liable to the punishment, provided
for that offence.
(d) A, intending to
cause a theft to be committed, instigates B to take property belonging to Z out
of Z's possession. A induces B to believe that the property belongs to A. B
takes the property out of Z's possession, in good faith, believing it to be A's
property. B, acting under this misconception, does not take dishonestly, and
therefore does not commit theft. But A is guilty of abetting theft, and is
liable to the same punishment as if B had committed theft.
Explanation 4- The abetment of an offence being an offence, the abetment
of such an abetment is also as offence.
Illustration
A instigates B to
instigate C to murder Z B accordingly instigates C to murder Z, and C
commits that offence in consequence of B's instigation. B is liable to be
punished for his offence with the punishment for murder; and, as A instigated B
to commit the offence, A is also liable to the same punishment.
Explanation 5- lt. is not necessary to the commission of the offence of
abetment by conspiracy that the abettor should concert the offence with the
person who commits it. It is sufficient if he engages in the conspiracy in
pursuance of which the offence is committed.
Illustration
A concerts with B a
plan for poisoning Z It is agreed that A shall administer the poison. B then
explains the plan to C mentioning that a third person is to administer the
poison, but without mentioning A's name. C agrees to procure the poison, and
procures and delivers it to B for the purpose of its being used in the manner
explained. A administers the poison; Z dies in consequence. Here, though A and
C have not conspired together, yet C has been engaged in the conspiracy in
pursuance of which Z has been murdered. C has therefore committed the offence
defined in this section and is liable to the punishment for murder.