Section 56 of BNS : Section 56: Abetment of offence punishable with imprisonment.

Explanation using Example

Example 1:

Ravi, a businessman, instigates his friend Suresh to commit fraud by falsifying financial documents to secure a loan from a bank. Suresh, however, decides not to go through with the plan and does not falsify the documents. Despite the fraud not being committed, Ravi has abetted the offence of fraud. Under Section 56 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Ravi can be punished with imprisonment for up to one-fourth of the longest term provided for the offence of fraud, or with a fine, or both.

Example 2:

Inspector Sharma, a police officer, whose duty is to prevent theft, encourages his acquaintance, Raj, to steal a motorbike from a parking lot. Raj, however, gets cold feet and does not steal the motorbike. Even though the theft was not committed, Inspector Sharma has abetted the offence of theft. Since Inspector Sharma is a public servant whose duty it is to prevent such offences, he can be punished with imprisonment for up to one-half of the longest term provided for the offence of theft, or with a fine, or both.

Example 3:

Priya, a teacher, encourages her student, Anil, to cheat in the upcoming board exams by providing him with the answers beforehand. Anil, feeling guilty, decides not to use the answers and writes the exam honestly. Despite Anil not cheating, Priya has abetted the offence of cheating in an examination. Under Section 56, Priya can be punished with imprisonment for up to one-fourth of the longest term provided for the offence of cheating, or with a fine, or both.

Example 4:

Officer Mehta, a customs officer, whose duty is to prevent smuggling, advises his friend, Vikram, on how to smuggle gold into the country without getting caught. Vikram, however, decides against smuggling the gold. Even though the smuggling was not carried out, Officer Mehta has abetted the offence of smuggling. As a public servant whose duty it is to prevent such offences, Officer Mehta can be punished with imprisonment for up to one-half of the longest term provided for the offence of smuggling, or with a fine, or both.