Section 112 IPC: Abettor when liable to cumulative punishment for act abetted and for act done
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 112 IPC at a Glance
Section 112 IPC deals with abettor when liable to cumulative punishment for act abetted and for act done. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 52 BNS.
None of its own. The abettor is liable to the punishment provided for each offence, the one abetted and the distinct offence committed in addition to it.
Section 112 IPC Bare Act Text
112. 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.
IllustrationA 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.
Source: Section 112, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 112 IPC in Simple Words
Section 112 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) governs the cumulative punishment of an abettor.
Where the act for which the abettor is liable under Section 111 IPC is committed in addition to the act abetted and constitutes a distinct offence, the abettor is liable to punishment for each of the offences.
The provision operates as a statutory rule of liability without creating an independent offence or fixing a penalty of its own.
Ingredients of Section 112 IPC
- The accused abetted a principal act, and that act was committed
- A further act was committed in addition to the act abetted
- The further act constituted a distinct offence from the act abetted
- The abettor is liable for the further act under Section 111 IPC as a probable consequence committed under the influence of the abetment
Punishment Under Section 112 IPC
None of its own. The abettor is liable to the punishment provided for each offence, the one abetted and the distinct offence committed in addition to it.
None of its own. Any fine is the fine provided for each of those offences.
Section 112 IPC has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC. Cognizance, bail, the trial court and compounding follow each offence for which the abettor is punished.
Example of Section 112 IPC
When Section 112 IPC Does Not Apply
- The person abetted committed only the act abetted and did not commit any additional act.
- A different act was done instead of the act abetted, rather than being committed in addition to the act abetted.
- The additional act committed did not amount to a distinct offence separate from the offence abetted.
- The abettor was not liable for the additional act under Section 111 IPC because it was neither a probable consequence of the abetment nor done under its influence.
Section 112 IPC in the BNS
Section 112 IPC is now covered under Section 52 BNS.
Section 112 IPC is replaced by Section 52 BNS. The substantive rule and the statutory illustration are retained without change in legal effect. The cross-reference to the last preceding section in the Indian Penal Code is updated to section 51 in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
View detailed comparison (IPC 112 vs BNS 52) →FAQs on Section 112 IPC
What does Section 112 IPC say?▼
Section 112 IPC provides that 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.
Does Section 112 IPC create an independent offence?▼
No. Section 112 IPC is a rule of liability. It creates no substantive offence and prescribes no separate penalty of its own.
How does Section 112 IPC interact with Section 111 IPC?▼
Section 111 IPC makes an abettor liable for a different act done, where it was a probable consequence of the abetment and was done under its influence. Section 112 IPC applies where that act is committed in addition to the act abetted and constitutes a distinct offence. The abettor is then liable to punishment for each of the offences.
What punishment can be awarded under Section 112 IPC?▼
The abettor is liable to punishment for each of the distinct offences. The court awards the penalty provided for the act abetted and the penalty provided for the additional distinct offence.
Is Section 112 IPC classified in the First Schedule to the CrPC?▼
No. Section 112 IPC has no separate entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC. Cognizance, bail status, the trial forum and compounding follow each distinct offence charged.
Is an offence under Section 112 IPC compoundable?▼
Compounding follows each offence for which the abettor is punished, under Section 320 CrPC.
Which provision of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita corresponds to Section 112 IPC?▼
Section 52 BNS corresponds to Section 112 IPC, updating the reference to the last preceding section to section 51 while preserving the cumulative liability rule and illustration.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·