Indian Penal Code, 1860
511. Punishment for attempting to commit offences
punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment
Whoever attempts to commit an offence punishable by this Code
with 152[imprisonment for life] or imprisonment, or to cause such an
offence to be committed, and in such attempt does any act towards the
commission of the offence, shall, where no express provision is made by this
Code for the punishment of such attempt, be punished with 194[imprisonment
of any description provided for the offence, for a term which may extend to
one-half of the imprisonment for life or, as the case may be, one-half of the
longest term of imprisonment provided for that offence], or with such fine as
is provided for the offence, or with both.
Illustrations
(a) A makes an attempt to steal some jewels by breaking open a
box, and finds after so opening the box, that there is no jewel in it. He has
done an act towards the commission of theft, and therefore is guilty under this
section.
(b) A makes an attempt to pick the pocket of Z by thrusting his
hand into Z's pocket. A fails in the attempt in consequence of Zs having
nothing in his pocket. A is guilty under this section.