When an offence is committed by means of several acts, whoever intentionally co-operates in the 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 the several doses
of poison so administered to him. Here A and B intentionally cooperate 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 co-operate 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.
Section 27 Property in possession of wife, clerk or servant
Section 32 Words referring to acts include illegal omissions
Section 34 Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention
Section 36 Effect caused partly by act and partly by omission
Section 37 Co-operation by doing one of several acts constituting an offence
Section 38 Persons concerned in criminal act may be guilty of different offences