(b) A instigates B to murder D. B in pursuance of the instigation stabs D. D recovers from
the wound. A is guilty of instigating B to commit murder.
Explanations 3: It is not necessary that the person abetted should be capable by law of
committing an offence, or that he should have the same guilty intention or knowledge as
that of the abettor or any guilty intention or knowledge.
Illustration
(a) A, with a guilty intention, abets a child or a lunatic to commit an act which would be an
offence, if committed by a person capable by law of committing an offence, and having the
same intention as A. Here A whether the act be committed or not, is guilty of abetting an
offence.
(b) A, with the intention of murdering Z, instigates B, a child under seven years of age, to
do an act which causes Z's death. B, in consequence of the abetment, does the act in the
absence of A and thereby, cause Z's death. Here, though B was not capable by law of
committing an offence, A is liable to be punished in the same manner as if B had been
capable by law of committing ah offence, and had committed murder, and he is therefore
subject to the punishment of death.
(c) A instigates B to set fire to a dwelling-house, B, in consequence of the unsoundness of
his mind, being incapable of knowing the nature of the act, or that he is doing what is
wrong or contrary to law, sets fire to the house in consequence of As instigation. B has
committed no offence, but A is guilty, of abetting the offence of setting fire to a dwelling
house, and is liable to the punishment provided for that offence.
(d) A intending to cause a theft to be committed, instigates B to take property belonging to
Z out of Z's possession. A includes B to believe that the property belongs to A. B takes the
property out of Z's possession in good faith, believing it to be A's property. B, acting under
this misconception, does not take dishonestly, and therefore does not commit theft. But is
guilty of abetting theft, and is liable to the same punishment as if B had committed theft.
Explanation 4: The abetment of an offence being an offence, the abetment of such an
abetment is also an offence.
Illustration
A instigates B to instigate C to murder Z. B accordingly instigates C to murder Z, and
commits that offence in consequence of B's instigation. B is liable to be punished for his
offence with the punishment for murder; and as A instigated B to commit the offence, A is
also liable to the same punishment.
Explanation 5: It is not necessary to the commission of the offence of abetment by
conspiracy that the abettor should concert the offence with the person who commits it. It is
sufficient if he engages in the conspiracy in pursuance of which the offence is committed.
Illustration