Attempt to Murder in Indian Law: From IPC Section 307 to BNS, and the Role of Abetment (Section 109)
Attempt to Murder in Indian Law: In the eyes of the law, trying to kill someone and actually killing them are not worlds apart. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) and now the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) treat attempt to murder as a crime almost as serious as murder itself — because when the intention is to take a life, the danger is just as real. But what happens when someone encourages, plans, or helps carry out that attempt, even if they don’t strike the blow? That’s where Section 109 of the IPC (and now BNS) comes in — punishing those who abet the crime. In old law IPC Section 307? Under the old law, Section 307 IPC punished anyone who attempted to commit murder . This meant: The act must be done with the intention or knowledge that it could cause death. The person must have taken a step beyond mere planning — such as an attack, firing a weapon, or poisoning — even if it fails. Punishment : Up to 10 years , and in some cases life imprisonment , wit...