ABETMENT, CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND ATTEMPT of ABETMENT

In the realm of criminal law, the concepts of abetment, criminal conspiracy, and attempt of abetment play pivotal roles in defining and prosecuting offenses that involve multiple parties or preliminary actions leading to a crime.

Understanding these concepts is essential for grasping the comprehensive nature of criminal liability.

Section : 45 Abetment of a thing

This section defines the ways in which a person can be said to abet (i.e., encourage or assist) the commission of an act. Abetment can occur in three main ways: through instigation, conspiracy, or aiding.

(a) Instigation:

• Urging or provoking someone to commit an act.
• Example: Telling someone to commit theft and encouraging them to do so.

(b) Conspiracy:

• Agreeing with others to commit an act, where at least one act is done in furtherance of that agreement.
• Example: Planning a robbery with a group, where one member purchases tools for the crime.

(c) Aiding:

• Intentionally helping someone commit an act, either by doing something or by failing to do something you are legally required to do.
• Example: Providing a weapon to someone knowing they plan to use it for a crime.

Illustration:
If person A encourages person B to commit theft, they are abetting the theft under (a). If A and B plan the theft together, and B buys the necessary tools, both are guilty of conspiracy under (b). If A provides B with a map of the building to help with the theft, A is aiding the crime under (c).

“P.L. Antony vs. State of Kerala” : This case clarified the distinction between mere presence and active participation in abetment. The court held that mere presence at the scene of a crime is not sufficient to establish abetment unless there is evidence of active participation or encouragement.

Section 46: Abettor

This statement explains that a person can be guilty of abetment if they encourage, assist, or provoke someone to commit an offense. Additionally, a person is also considered to have abetted an offense if they incite someone to commit an act that would be an offense if the person committing it had the legal capacity and the same intent or knowledge as the abettor.

Principles:

Abetment of an Offense:

Direct Abetment: A person is directly abetting an offense if they actively support, provoke, or aid someone in committing a crime.

Focus on Intention and Knowledge: The abettor’s intention or knowledge is key. Even if the person who actually commits the act does not have the legal capacity (e.g., a child or a person of unsound mind), the abettor can still be held liable if the act would be a crime if committed by someone with the same intention or knowledge as the abettor.

Example 1 : Person A convinces a 10-year-old child (Person B) to steal money from a shop. Even though the child may not fully comprehend the gravity of the act or be legally responsible due to their age, Person A is guilty of abetment. The law holds Person A accountable because the act would have been an offense if committed by someone of legal age with the same intent.

Example 2: Person C, knowing that Person D is mentally unstable, persuades D to set fire to a neighbor’s house. While Person D may not be held legally responsible due to their mental state, Person C is guilty of abetment because they had the intent and knowledge that the act of arson was a crime.

“State of Maharashtra vs. Vinayak Dattatray Khadilkar” : This case dealt with the concept of constructive abetment. The court held that a person can be held liable for abetment even if they were not physically present at the scene of the crime, provided their actions or words were instrumental in inciting the offense.

Section 61 : Criminal Conspiracy

This legal provision defines the concept of criminal conspiracy and outlines the conditions under which a conspiracy is considered a criminal offense. It also describes the penalties for those involved in a criminal conspiracy, depending on the severity of the offense planned.

Principles:

Criminal Conspiracy Defined:

A criminal conspiracy occurs when two or more persons agree to commit:

 (a) An Illegal Act: The act itself is unlawful, such as theft, murder, or fraud.

(b) A Legal Act by Illegal Means: The act itself may be lawful, but the means used to accomplish it are illegal, such as using forged documents to obtain a loan.

Agreement as the Basis: The key element in a criminal conspiracy is the agreement between the parties. The mere act of agreeing to commit an offense is sufficient to establish a conspiracy, particularly if the agreement is to commit a crime.

Requirement of an Overt Act: If the conspiracy does not involve an offense (for example, planning a legal act by illegal means), then an overt act must be performed by one or more of the conspirators in furtherance of the conspiracy. This means that at least one step towards carrying out the plan must be taken for the conspiracy to be criminal.

Punishment for Criminal Conspiracy:

(a) Conspiracy to Commit Serious Offenses:

If the conspiracy involves committing an offense punishable by death, life imprisonment, or rigorous imprisonment for two years or more, the conspirators will be punished as if they had abetted the offense itself.

This means the punishment for the conspiracy can be the same as the punishment for the actual crime, reflecting the seriousness of the conspiracy.

(b) Conspiracy for Lesser Offenses:

For conspiracies to commit offenses not punishable as severely (i.e., those punishable by less than two years), the punishment is lighter. The conspirators may be sentenced to imprisonment for up to six months, fined, or both.

Illustration:

Persons A and B agree to murder C. This is an illegal act. The mere agreement between A and B to commit this crime constitutes a criminal conspiracy. Even if they do not carry out the murder, they can be punished as if they had abetted the murder, because the conspiracy involves a serious offense.

“Kehar Singh and others v. State (Delhi Administration)” (1988) : The Hon’ble Supreme Court, in this case, has held that the most important ingredient of the offence of conspiracy is an agreement between two or more persons to do an illegal act. Such an illegal act may or may not be done in pursuance of the agreement, but the very agreement is an offence and is punishable.

Section 62 : Punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment

This legal provision addresses the situation where a person attempts to commit an offense that is punishable under the law with imprisonment for life or a fixed term of imprisonment. It outlines the punishment for such an attempt when there is no specific provision for it in the law.

Principles:

Attempt to Commit an Offense:

An attempt is when a person tries to commit an offense but does not succeed in completing it. For an act to be considered an attempt, the person must have done something towards the commission of the offense beyond mere preparation. There must be a direct act that moves the person closer to the completion of the crime.

The law treats attempts seriously because they demonstrate the offender’s intent to commit the crime, even if the crime is not completed.

Punishment for Attempt:

Imprisonment: The punishment for attempting to commit an offense is set at up to half of the maximum punishment provided for the completed offense. If the offense is punishable with life imprisonment, the attempt can lead to a term of imprisonment that may extend up to half of what would be the life sentence.

Fine: The person may also be subjected to a fine, which could be the same as the fine provided for the full offense, or a fine in combination with imprisonment.

Both Imprisonment and Fine: In some cases, the offender may be punished with both imprisonment and a fine, depending on the seriousness of the attempt and the circumstances.

Illustration

Illustration 1: Attempt to Commit Burglary

Scenario:
A attempts to break into B’s house at night with the intention of committing burglary. A successfully breaks the lock on the door and enters the house, but upon searching the house, finds nothing valuable to steal.

Application:
Although A did not actually steal anything, A has taken significant steps towards committing the burglary by breaking in and searching the house. Therefore, A is guilty under the section dealing with attempts to commit an offense.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the concepts of abetment, criminal conspiracy, and attempt of abetment are integral to the framework of criminal law. They ensure that the law encompasses not just the principal perpetrators of a crime, but also those who facilitate, plan, or prepare for criminal acts. By recognizing and penalizing these ancillary roles, the legal system aims to deter collaborative and preparatory actions that contribute to the commission of offenses. Understanding these concepts enhances our ability to address the complexities of criminal behavior and reinforces the commitment to a comprehensive and just legal process. As we continue to develop and refine our legal doctrines, the principles of abetment, criminal conspiracy, and attempt of abetment will remain essential in promoting accountability and preventing crime.