56. Whoever abets an offence punishable with imprisonment shall, if that
offence be not committed in consequence of the abetment, and no express
provision is made under this Sanhita for the punishment of such abetment, be
punished with imprisonment of any description provided for that offence for
a term which may extend to one-fourth part of the longest term provided for
that offence; or with such fine as is provided for that offence, or with
both; and if the abettor or the person abetted is a public servant, whose
duty it is to
prevent the commission of such offence, the abettor shall be punished with
imprisonment of any description provided for that offence, for a term which
may extend to one-half of the longest term provided for that offence, or
with such fine as is provided for the offence, or with both.
Illustrations.
(a) A instigates B to give false evidence. Here, if B does not give false
evidence, A has nevertheless committed the offence defined in this section,
and is punishable accordingly.
(b) A, a police officer, whose duty it is to prevent robbery, abets the commission of robbery. Here, though the robbery be not committed, A is liable to one-half of the longest term of imprisonment provided for that offence, and also to fine.
(c) B abets the commission of a robbery by A, a police officer, whose duty it is to prevent that offence. Here, though the robbery be not committed, B is liable to one-half of the longest term of imprisonment provided for the offence of robbery, and also to fine.
Section 51 Liability of abettor when one act abetted and different act done
Section 52 Abettor when liable to cumulative punishment for act abetted and for act done
Section 54 Abettor present when offence is committed
Section 55 Abetment of offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life
Section 56 Abetment of offence punishable with imprisonment
Section 57 Abetting commission of offence by public or by more than ten persons
Section 58 Concealing design to commit offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life
Section 59 Public servant concealing design to commit offence which it is his duty to prevent
Section 60 Concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment