BNS Section 62
What punishment does the law prescribe for attempting a crime that carries life imprisonment when no specific attempt provision exists?
Short answer
The attempt is punishable with up to half the maximum imprisonment for the original offence, the fine for that offence, or both.
In detail
If a person tries to commit an offence that is punishable by life imprisonment or any term of imprisonment, and the law does not have a separate rule for attempts, that person is still liable. The court can impose any type of imprisonment that the original offence carries, but the term cannot exceed half of the longest possible sentence for that offence – for a life sentence, this means up to half of a life term. In addition, the fine that is prescribed for the completed offence may be imposed, either alone or together with the reduced imprisonment. This rule applies to all offences that carry a sentence of life imprisonment or any other term of imprisonment, ensuring that attempts are treated seriously even without a dedicated attempt provision.
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Not legal advice. This is general legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case turns on its own facts — speak to a lawyer about your situation.