Section 34 IPC: Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 34 IPC at a Glance
Section 34 IPC deals with acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 3(5) BNS.
None of its own. Each person is liable to the punishment for the offence committed in furtherance of the common intention.
Section 34 IPC Bare Act Text
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.
Source: Section 34, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 34 IPC in Simple Words
Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sets a rule of joint liability. When a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all, each of them is liable for that act in the same manner as if he had done it alone.
The section creates no offence and sets no punishment. It is read with the section for the offence committed, and each person sharing the common intention is punished under that section.
Ingredients of Section 34 IPC
- A criminal act done by several persons
- A common intention shared by all of them
- The act done in furtherance of that common intention
Punishment Under Section 34 IPC
None of its own. Each person is liable to the punishment for the offence committed in furtherance of the common intention.
None of its own. Any fine comes from the section for the offence committed.
Section 34 IPC has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC. Cognizance, bail and the trial court follow the entry for the offence committed. Where that offence is compoundable, Section 320(3) CrPC lets it be compounded in like manner against a person liable under Section 34 IPC.
Example of Section 34 IPC
When Section 34 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 34 IPC does not apply when a single person commits a criminal act entirely by himself without the participation of several persons.
- Section 34 IPC does not apply when two or more people happen to commit acts at the same place independently without sharing a common intention.
- Section 34 IPC does not apply to a bystander who merely witnesses the crime and does not share the common intention or participate in the criminal act.
- Section 34 IPC does not apply to a separate act committed by one participant on a sudden personal impulse outside the common intention of all.
Section 34 IPC in the BNS
Section 34 IPC is now covered under Section 3(5) BNS.
Section 34 IPC is now Section 3(5) BNS, with the same words. It is a sub-section of the general explanations in Section 3(5) BNS and has no heading of its own.
View detailed comparison (IPC 34 vs BNS 3(5)) →FAQs on Section 34 IPC
Does Section 34 IPC create an offence?▼
No. It sets a rule of liability. A person is charged with the offence committed, read with Section 34 IPC, and punished under the section for that offence.
What must be shown for Section 34 IPC to apply?▼
That a criminal act was done by several persons, that all of them shared a common intention, and that the act was done in furtherance of it.
Under Section 34 IPC, is each person liable for the whole act?▼
Yes. Section 34 IPC makes each of them liable for that act in the same manner as if he had done it alone.
Is an offence read with Section 34 IPC bailable?▼
That follows the First Schedule entry for the offence committed. Section 34 IPC has no entry of its own.
Can an offence charged with Section 34 IPC be compounded?▼
Only if the offence committed is compoundable. Section 320(3) CrPC then lets it be compounded in like manner where the accused is liable under Section 34 IPC.
How does Section 34 IPC differ from Section 149 IPC?▼
Section 34 IPC needs a common intention shared by all who did the act. Section 149 IPC makes every member of an unlawful assembly guilty of an offence committed by any member in prosecution of the common object, or of an offence the members knew to be likely to be committed in prosecution of that object.
Where is Section 34 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
In Section 3(5) BNS, with the same words.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 17 Oct 2026 ·