Indian Penal Code, 1860
37.
Co-operation by doing one of several acts constituting an offence
When an offence is
committed by means of several acts, whoever intentionally co-operates in tile
commission of that offence by doing any one of those acts, either singly or
jointly with any other person, commits that offence.
Illustrations
(a) A and B agree to
murder Z by severally and at different times giving him small doses of
poison. A and B administer the poison according to the agreement with intent to
murder Z. Z dies from the effects of the several doses of poison so
administered to him. Here A and 8 intentionally co-operate in the commission of
murder and as each of them does an act by which the death is caused, they are
both guilty of the offence though their acts are separate.
(b) A and B are joint
jailors, and as such have the charge of Z, a prisoner, alternatively for six
hours at a time. A and B, intending to cause Z's death, knowingly cooperate in
causing that effect by illegally omitting, each during the time of his attendance,
to furnish Z with food supplied to them for that purpose, Z dies of hunger.
Both A and B are guilty of the murder of Z.
(c) A, a jailor-, has
the charge of Z, a prisoner. A, intending to cause Z’s death, illegally omits
to supply Z with food in consequence of which Z is much reduced in strength,
but the starvation is not sufficient to cause his death. A is dismissed from
his office, and B succeeds him. B, without collusion or co-operation with A,
illegally omits to supply Z with food, knowing that he is likely thereby to
cause Z’s death. Z dies of hunger. B is guilty of murder, but, as A did not
co-operate with B. A is guilty only of an attempt to commit murder.