IPC Section 511 – Punishment for Attempt to commit offences
This section i.e. IPC Section 511 deals with attempts to commit offences which is punishable with any imprisonment under the Indian Penal Code and in respect of which no express providing is made by the code, for punishment.
Table of Contents
IPC Section 511 in simple term
1. Whoever attempts to commit an offence punishable under this code with :
– imprisonment for life; or
– imprisonment
2. or, Whoever attempts to cause such an offence to be committed which is an offence punishable under this code with :
– imprisonment for life; or
– imprisonment
3. and, in such attempt does any act towards the commission of the offence
4. Where no express provision is made for the punishment of such attempt in Indian Penal Code shall be punished with :
– For a term which may extend to one-half of the imprisonment for life; or
– For a term which is 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
Section 511 applies to
This section i.e. IPC Section 511 applies to:
– attempts to commit offences which is punishable with any imprisonment under the Indian Penal Code.
– and, in respect of which no express providing is made by the code, for punishment.
The ‘offence’ is defined in Section 40 IPC. Thus section 511 applies to those offences which is an offence as defined in Section 40 IPC.
The offence that is not an offence under the Indian Penal Code does not fall within the ambit of this section.
Section 511 IPC does not apply in case of
Section 511 IPC does not apply to:
Offence for which express provision is made by this Code for the punishment of such attempt e.g. Attempt to murder.
The offence is which is not an offence under Indian Penal Code does not fall within the ambit of this section.
Section 511 IPC punishment
For a term which may extend to one-half of the imprisonment for life; or
For a term which is 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
Types of imprisonment to be imprisonment of any description provided for the offence
Attempt definition
An attempt is an intent to do combined with an act however such an act falling short of commission of intent.
Thus it is intent + any act however not resulting in intent.
In other words :
One is intended to commit an offence, he does not act however fall short in commission or completion of that offence.
Attempt to commit offence
Attempt to commit an offence can be said to begin when the preparations are complete and the culprit commences to do something with the intention of committing the offence and which is a step towards the commission of the offence.
The moment he commences doing an act with the necessary intention, he commences his attempt to commit the offence.
The requisite elements of an attempt to commit a crime are :
(1) an intent to commit it
(2) an overt act toward the commission
(3) failure of consummation, and
(4) the apparent possibility of commission
Express provision in IPC dealing with Attempt
Section 121 : Waging, or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war, against the Government of India.
Section 124 : Assaulting President. Governor, etc., with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power.
Section 125 : Waging war against any Asiatic power in alliance with the Government of India.
Section 130 : Aiding escape of, rescuing or harbouring such prisoner.
Section 153A : Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence. language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony. Offence committed in place of worship, etc.
Section 196 : Using evidence known to be false.
Section 198 : Using as true a certificate known to be false.
Section 200 : Using as true such declaration knowing it to be false.
Section 213 : Taking gift, etc., to screen an offender from punishment.— if a capital offence; if punishable with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment.
Section 239 : Delivery of coin, possessed with knowledge that it is counterfeit.
Section 240 : Delivery of Indian coin, possessed with knowledge that it is counterfeit.
Section 241 : Delivery of coin as genuine, which, when first possessed, the deliverer did not know to be counterfeit.
Section 307 : Attempt to murder. Attempts by life-convicts.
Section 308 : Attempt to commit culpable homicide.
Section 309 : Attempt to commit suicide.
Section 385 : Putting person in fear of injury in order to commit extortion.
Section 387 : Putting person in fear of death or of grievous hurt, in order to commit extortion.
Section 389 : Putting person in fear of accusation of offence, in order to commit extortion.
Section 391 : Dacoity.
Section 393 : Attempt to commit robbery.
Section 394 : Voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery.
Section 398 : Attempt to commit robbery or dacoity when armed with deadly weapon
Section 460 : All persons jointly concerned in lurking house-trespass or house-breaking by night punishable where death or grievous hurt caused by one of them.