BNS Section 48 — Abetment outside India for offence in India

Summary

A person commits abetment under this Sanhita if they, while outside India, encourage or help the commission of any act in India that would be an offence if it were done in India. This means the person need not be present in India to be held responsible for abetting an offence that takes place within India.

The illustration clarifies this: if A, located in country X, instigates B to commit a murder in India, then A is guilty of abetting that murder.

Official Text

A person abets an offence within the meaning of this Sanhita who, without and beyond India, abets the commission of any act in India which would constitute an offence if committed in India.

Illustration. A, in country X, instigates B, to commit a murder in India, A is guilty of abetting murder.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1531 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.280 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.2 p.80 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.8 p.670 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.4 p.2730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.7 p.105 — Supreme Court of India (2025)