Abettor when liable to cumulative punishment for act abetted and for act done
Section 112 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 deals with abettor when liable to cumulative punishment for act abetted and for act done. If the act for which the abettor is liable under the last preceding section is committed in addition to the act abetted, and constitute a distinct offence, the abettor is liable to punishment for each of the offences. The Act came into force on 01 Jan 1862. Repealed by section 358 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023) with effect from 1 July 2024, but conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under it.
If the act for which the abettor is liable under the last preceding section is committed in addition to the act abetted, and constitute a distinct offence, the abettor is liable to punishment for each of the offences.
Illustration
A instigates B to resist by force a distress made by a public servant. B, in consequence resists that distress. In offering the resistance, B voluntarily causes grievous hurt to the officer executing the distress. As B has committed both the offence of resisting the distress, and the offence of voluntarily causing grievous hurt, B is liable to punishment for both these offences; and, if A knew that B was likely voluntarily to cause grievous hurt in resisting the distress A will also be liable to punishment for each of the offences.
Section 112, The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Act 45 of 1860).
Now in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
BNS 52 Abettor when liable to cumulative punishment for act abetted and for act done Text carried over almost unchanged 99%
Measured by comparing the text of the two provisions, not taken from an official correspondence table — there is no machine-readable one. See both texts side by side before relying on it.
Both regimes are live. The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force. We never redirect one to the other.
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
-
Jangala Koteswara Rao at Koti vs The State of A.p.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
A criminal petition under Section 482 CrPC seeking to quash criminal proceedings becomes infructuous and is liable to be dismissed when the trial has already concluded and the matter is posted for judgment before the trial court, as the petition no longer serves any practical purpose at that stage of proceedings.
On this section: Abetment of offences
-
Jangala Koteswara Rao at Koti vs The State of A.p.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
When a criminal petition for quashing proceedings is filed in the High Court but the trial court has already substantially progressed with examination of prosecution witnesses, the High Court may close the criminal petition and grant liberty to the petitioner to participate in the ongoing trial rather than entertaining the petition for quashing, as the trial court is the appropriate forum to adjudicate the charges.
On this section: Abetment of offences
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 112
What have the courts held on Section 112 of the Indian Penal Code?
Jangala Koteswara Rao at Koti vs The State of A.p. (08 Feb 2024) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Abetment of offences. Another 1 judgment on this section is set out below. They run from 2023 to 2024.
How do I find court cases under Section 112 of the Indian Penal Code?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: IPC 112, section 112 IPC, section 112 of the Indian Penal Code. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 2 reported judgments on this section are set out on this page, beginning with Jangala Koteswara Rao at Koti vs The State of A.p. (08 Feb 2024).
What should I read with Section 112 of the Indian Penal Code, and has it changed?
For anything done on or after 1 July 2024 the provision to read is BNS 52 (Abettor when liable to cumulative punishment for act abetted and for act done), which replaced it; conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under this section.
When did Section 112 of the Indian Penal Code come into force?
Section 112 of the Indian Penal Code, cited as IPC 112, came into force on 01 Jan 1862, having been enacted on 06 Oct 1860. It is no longer in force.
Other sections of this Act
- 499. Defamation1512 words
- 464. Making a false document1223 words
- 300. Murder1172 words
- 378. Theft980 words
- 108. Abettor745 words
- 403. Dishonest misappropriation of property727 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Recovered from the consolidated text published by India Code (item 7b7d4fe6-206b-4e33-81f1-b98b018acaf6). This page is not a substitute for legal advice.