Whoever attempts to commit an offence punishable by this Code 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 Code 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 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.
- 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.
IPC Section 511: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 511 states, “Attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment.” This section applies to individuals who attempt to commit an offence under the IPC that is punishable by imprisonment for life or any other term but fail to complete the act. The legal principle here is that the attempt itself shows criminal intent and poses a threat to society, and thus, deserves punishment even if the full offence is not completed.
Is IPC Section 511 bailable?
The bailability of IPC Section 511 depends on the principal offence being attempted. If the offence attempted is non-bailable, then the attempt under Section 511 is also non-bailable. Conversely, if the offence attempted is bailable, then the attempt under Section 511 is bailable.
IPC Section 511 Punishment
The punishment under IPC Section 511 is linked to the punishment for the full offence. Suppose a person attempts to commit an offence punishable by life imprisonment or a specific term of imprisonment. In that case, the punishment for the attempt can be up to half of the maximum punishment prescribed for the complete offence. However, the court determines the specific penalty within this limit based on the severity of the attempt and other circumstances.
Example of IPC Section 511
A real-life example of IPC Section 511 could involve a scenario where an individual plans and begins to execute a plan to rob a bank. They gather tools, create a plan, and even enter the bank premises after hours but are caught by security before they can steal any money. Although the robbery was not completed, the individual’s actions demonstrate an attempt to commit the crime. They are arrested and charged under IPC Section 511, with their punishment being determined based on the severity of their actions and the potential harm they intended to cause by attempting to rob the bank.
