IPC Section 37 - Co -operation by doing one of several acts constituting an offence

37. Co -operation by doing one of several acts constituting an offence. When an offence is

committed by means of several acts, whoever intentionally co -operates in the commission of that offence

by doing any one of those acts, either singly or jointly with any other person, commits that offence.

Illustration s

(a) A and B agree to murder Z by severally and at different times giving him small doses of poison. A and B administer the

poison according to the agreement with intent to murder Z. Z dies from the effects the several doses of poison so administered to

him. Here A and B intentionally co operate in the commission of murder and as each of them does an act by which the death is

caused, they are both guilty of the offence though their acts are separate.

(b) A and B are joint jailors, and as such have the charge of Z, a prisoner, alternatively for six hours at a time. A and B,

intending to cause Z's death, knowingly co -operate in causing that effect by illegally omitting, each duri ng the time of his

attendance, to furnish Z with food supplie d to them for that purpose. Z di es of hunger. Both A and B are guilty of the murder of

Z.

(c) A, a jailor, has the charge of Z, a prisoner. A, intending to cause Z's death, illegally omits to sup ply Z with food; in

consequence of which Z is much reduced in strength, but the starvation is not sufficient to cause his death. A is dismissed f rom

his office, and B succeeds him. B, without collusion or co -operation with A, illegally omits to supply Z wi th food, knowing that

he is likely thereby to cause Z's death. Z dies of hunger. B is guilty of murder, but, as A did not co -operate with B. A is guilty

only of an attempt to commit murder.