Of attempt
Punishment for
attempting to
commit
offences
punishable with
imprisonment
for life or
other
imprisonment.
- 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.