The Pakistan Penal Code, 1860

[1](XLV OF 1860)

[6th October, 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. It 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 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 offences, if committed by a person capable by law of committing an offence, and having the same intention as A, Here A, whether that 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 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 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 an 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. It is not necessary to the commission of the offences 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 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.

 


[1].       The Pakistan Penal Code has been declared in force in--

          It has been applied to Phulera in the Excluded Area of Upper Tanawal to the extent the Act is applicable in the N.W.F.P., subject to certain modifications; see N.W.F.P. (Upper Tanawal) (Excluded Area) Laws Regulation, 1950 and also extended to the Excluded Area of Upper Tanawal other than Phulera by the N.W.F.P. (Upper Tanawal) (Excluded Area) Laws Regulation, 1950 and declared to be in force in that area. w.e.f. 1st June, 1951, see N.W.F.P Gazette, Ext., dated 1-6-1951.

          It has been amended in its application to the N.W.F.P., see N.W.F.P Acts 3 of 1941 and 26 of 1950.

          It has also been extended to the Leased Areas of Baluchistan by the Leased Areas (Laws) Order, 1950 (G.G.O. 3 of 1950); and applied in the Federated Areas of Baluchistan, see Gazette of India, 1937, Pt. I, P. 1499.

          It has also been extended by notification under Article 7(1)(a) of the N.W.F.P. (Enlargement of the Area and Alteration of Boundary) Order, 1952 (G. G. O. 1 of 1952), to the added area described in the First Schedule to that Order, w.e.f. 7th February, 1952, see N.W.F.P. Government Gazette, 1952, Pt. I, P. 70.

          It has also been amended in its application to the Province of West Pakistan by the Pakistan Penal Code (West Pakistan (Amdt.) ) Act, 1963 (W.P. Act 6 of 1963), S. 2 (w.e.f. the 18th April, 1963).

          It has also been amended in its application to the Province of West Pakistan by the Pakistan Penal Code (West Pakistan (Amdt.) ) Act, 1964 (W.P. Act 32 of 1964), S. 2 (w.e.f. 27-4-1964).