IPC Section 120B - Criminal Conspiracy
Explanation of IPC Section 120B
Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code deals with the punishment for being a party to a criminal conspiracy. A criminal conspiracy is when two or more people plan to commit a crime together. This section specifies the punishment based on the type of crime involved.
Key Points:
- If the conspiracy is to commit an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life, or rigorous imprisonment for two years or more, the punishment will be the same as if the person had abetted the commission of that crime.
- If the conspiracy is for an offence that is not punishable by the above penalties, the punishment can be up to six months of imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Offence and Punishment
| Offence | Punishment | Cognizance | Bail | Triable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal conspiracy to commit an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life, or rigorous imprisonment for a term of 2 years or upwards | Same as for abetment of that offence | Same as offence | Same as offence | Same as offence |
| Any other criminal conspiracy | 6 months imprisonment, fine, or both | Non-Cognizable | Bailable | Magistrate First Class |
IPC 120B in Simple Words
In simple terms, Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code states that if someone is part of a conspiracy to commit a serious crime that is punishable by death or life imprisonment, they will face the same punishment as if they had directly assisted in the crime. However, if they are part of a conspiracy for a less severe crime, the punishment can be up to six months in prison, a fine, or both.