Section 60 addresses situations where a person helps in the commission of a crime punishable with imprisonment by hiding its plan or giving false information. It applies when the offence is not punishable with death or life imprisonment, and imposes lesser but still serious penalties based on whether the offence actually occurs or not.
Key Provisions:
If a person, intending to help or knowing it’s likely that they may help the commission of an offence punishable with imprisonment, does either of the following:
- Voluntarily conceals the plan by act or illegal omission, or
- Makes a false representation about the plan,
Then the punishment is:
- (a) If the offence is committed:
- Imprisonment (of the type provided for that offence) up to one-fourth of the maximum term.
- (b) If the offence is not committed:
- Imprisonment up to one-eighth of the maximum term for that offence, or
- Fine as applicable for the offence, or
- Both.
How It Protects:
- Holds individuals accountable for aiding crimes indirectly through silence or falsehood.
- Promotes early disclosure of crime-related information to prevent harm.
- Encourages public cooperation by punishing concealment, even if the crime never happens.
Example:
- A knows that his friend is planning to forge documents, which is punishable with imprisonment.
- Instead of informing the authorities, A keeps silent or misleads someone about the plan.
- A can be punished whether or not the forgery is ultimately committed - with one-fourth of the max term if it happens, and one-eighth or fine if it doesn’t.