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

CHAPTER IV OF ABETMENT, CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND ATTEMPT — of abetment

Criminal

Summary

Whoever tries to commit an offence under this Sanhita that is punishable with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment, or tries to cause such an offence to be committed, and in that attempt does some act towards committing the offence, will be punished — but only if this Sanhita does not already have a specific punishment for that attempt. The punishment will be imprisonment of any kind allowed for that offence, for a term up to half of the imprisonment for life, or half of the longest term of imprisonment provided for that offence, or a fine as provided for that offence, or both.

Illustration (a): A tries to steal jewels by breaking open a box, but after opening the box finds there are no jewels in it. A has done an act towards committing theft, and is therefore guilty under this section.

Illustration (b): A tries to pick Z's pocket by putting his hand into Z's pocket, but fails because Z has nothing in his pocket. A is guilty under this section.

Official Text

Whoever attempts to commit an offence punishable by this Sanhita with imprisonment for life or imprisonment, or to cause such an offence to be committed, and in such attempt does any act towards the commission of the offence, shall, where no express provision is made by this Sanhita for the punishment of such attempt, be punished with imprisonment of any description provided for the offence, for a term which may extend to one-half of the imprisonment for life or, as the case may be, one-half of the longest term of imprisonment provided for that offence, or with such fine as is provided for the offence, or with both.

Illustrations.

(a) A makes an attempt to steal some jewels by breaking open a box, and finds after so opening the box, that there is no jewel in it. He has done an act towards the commission of theft, and therefore is guilty under this section.

(b) A makes an attempt to pick the pocket of Z by thrusting his hand into Z’s pocket. A fails in the attempt in consequence of Z’s having nothing in his pocket. A is guilty under this section. Of sexual offences

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 (2024) Vol.10 p.930 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
  • SC (2024) Vol.8 p.670 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
  • SC (2025) Vol.9 p.283 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.7 p.105 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

  • IPC §511 — Punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment