Practice paper — IPC Chapter 23 — Attempts Commit Offences
5 questions · answer key at the end · no time limit
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1.Section 511 IPC punishes which of the following?
- (A) Only completed offences punishable with life imprisonment
- (B) An attempt to commit an offence punishable with imprisonment for life or imprisonment, or to cause such an offence to be committed, where any act is done towards its commission and no express provision for the attempt exists
- (C) Any mere intention to commit an offence even if no act is done towards its commission
- (D) Conspiracy to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life
2.What maximum imprisonment term does Section 511 prescribe for an attempt (where no express provision exists) in relation to the substantive offence?
- (A) A term which may extend to one-half of the imprisonment for life or one-half of the longest term of imprisonment provided for that offence
- (B) The full maximum term provided for the substantive offence
- (C) Not more than one-third of the maximum term of the substantive offence
- (D) A maximum of three months irrespective of the substantive offence
3.If the IPC already contains an express provision prescribing the punishment for attempting a particular offence, can Section 511 be applied to that attempt?
- (A) Yes — Section 511 applies in addition to any express provision
- (B) No — Section 511 applies only where no express provision is made by the Code for the punishment of such attempt
- (C) Yes — but only to increase the fine prescribed by the express provision
- (D) Only if the court specifically invokes Section 511
4.An offence is punishable with imprisonment up to 10 years and a fine. Under Section 511 (where no express provision exists for attempt), what is the maximum punishment for an attempt to commit that offence?
- (A) Up to 10 years' imprisonment and/or fine
- (B) Fine only
- (C) Up to 5 years' imprisonment and/or fine
- (D) Up to 3 years' imprisonment
5.Does Section 511 allow an attempt to be punished with a form of imprisonment (e.g., rigorous vs. simple) that is not one of the 'descriptions' of imprisonment provided for the substantive offence?
- (A) Yes — the court may impose any description of imprisonment irrespective of the substantive offence
- (B) No — it authorises punishment 'with imprisonment of any description provided for the offence', so only descriptions provided for the offence can be used
- (C) Yes — but only if a fine is also imposed
- (D) No — Section 511 disallows imprisonment and permits only fines for attempts
Answer key
Explanations
- 1. (B) The provision begins: 'Whoever attempts to commit an offence punishable by this Code with imprisonment for life or imprisonment... and in such attempt does any act towards the commission of the offence...' and applies 'where no express provision is made by this Code for the punishment of such attempt.'
- 2. (A) The section states the attempt 'shall... be punished with imprisonment... for a term which may extend to one-half of the imprisonment for life or... one-half of the longest term of imprisonment provided for that offence.'
- 3. (B) Section 511 applies 'where no express provision is made by this Code for the punishment of such attempt,' so it does not apply when an express provision already prescribes punishment for that attempt.
- 4. (C) The section permits punishment 'for a term which may extend to... one-half of the longest term of imprisonment provided for that offence, or with such fine as is provided for the offence, or with both.' For a 10-year maximum, one-half is 5 years, and fine may also be imposed.
- 5. (B) The provision specifies punishment 'with imprisonment of any description provided for the offence,' which means the description of imprisonment must be one that is provided for the substantive offence; it does not permit a description not provided for that offence.