Indian Penal Code, 1860
111.
Liability of abettor when one act abetted and different act done
When an act is abetted
and a different act is done, the abettor is liable for the act done, in the
same manner and to the same extent as if he had directly abetted it:
Proviso-
Provided the act done was a probable consequence of the abetment, and was
committed under the influence of the instigation, or with the aid or in
pursuance of the conspiracy which constituted the abetment.
Illustrations
(a) A instigates a
child to put poison into the food of Z, and gives him poison for that purpose.
The child, in consequence of the instigation, by mistake puts the poison into
the food of Y, which is by the side of that of Z. Here, if the child was acting
under the influence of A 's instigation, and the act done was under the
circumstances a probable consequence of the abetment. A is liable in the same
manner and to the same extent as if he had instigated the child to put the
poison into the food of Y.
(b) A instigates B to
burn Zs house. B sets fire to the house and at the same time commits theft of
property there. A, though guilty of abetting the burning of the house, is not
guilty of abetting the theft; for the theft was a distinct act, and not a
probable consequence of the burning
(C) A instigates B and
C to break into an inhabited house at midnight for the purpose of robbery, and provides
them with arms for that purpose. B and C break into the house, and being
resisted by Z, one of the inmates, murder Z. Here, if that murder was the
probable consequence of the abetment, A is liable to the punishment provided
for murder.