32. Words referring to acts include illegal omissions. In every part of this Code, except where
a contrary intention appears from the context, words which refer to acts done extend also to illegal
omissions.
33. ―Act.‖ ―Omission‖. The word ―act‖ denotes as well a series of acts as a single act : the word
―omission‖ denotes as well a series of omissions as a single omission.
1[34.
Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention. When a criminal act
is done by several persons, in furtherance of the common intention of all, each of such persons is
liable for that act in the same manner as if it were done by him alone.]
35. When such an act is criminal by reason of its being done with a criminal knowledge of
intention. Whenever an act, which is criminal only by reason of its being done with a criminal
knowledge or intention, is done by several persons, each of such persons who joins in the act with
such knowledge or intention is liable for the act in the same manner as if the act were done by him
alone with that knowledge or intention.
36. Effect caused partly by act and partly by omission. Wherever the causing of a certain
effect, or an attempt to cause that effect, by an act or by an omission, is an offence, it is to be
understood that the causing of that effect partly by an act and partly by an omission is the same
offence.
Illustration
A intentionally causes Z‘s death, partly by illegally omitting to give Z food, and partly by
beating Z. A has committed murder.
37. Co-operation by doing one of several acts constituting an offence. When an offence is
committed by means of several acts, whoever intentionally co-operates in the commission of that
offence by doing any one of those acts, either singly or jointly with any other person, commits that
offence.
Illustrations
(a) A and B agree to murder Z by severally and at different times giving him small doses of
poison. A and B administer the poison according to the agreement with intent to murder
Z. Z dies from the effects of the several doses of poison so administered to him. Here A
and B intentionally co-operate in the commission of murder and as each of them does an
act by which the death is caused, they are both guilty of the offence though their acts are
separate.
(b) A and B are joint jailors, and as such, have the charge of Z, a prisoner, alternately for six
hours at a time. A and B, intending to cause Z's death, knowingly co-operate in causing
that effect by illegally omitting, each during the time of his attendance, to furnish Z with
food supplied to them for that purpose. Z dies of hunger. Both A and B are guilty of the
murder of Z.
1Subs.
by the Indian Penal Code Amdt. Act, 1870 (27 of 1870), s. 1, for the original section.
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