The correct answer is (a). Criminal conspiracy is defined in Indian Penal Code, 1860 under Section 120A. It states that:
“120A. Conspiracy to commit an offence:–If two or more persons agree to commit an offence, and do an act towards the commission thereof, such an agreement is called a criminal conspiracy:
Provided that no agreement to commit an offence is an offence unless an act is done in pursuance of such agreement, and such act amounts to a criminal offence.”
Section 120A is a compound offence, which means that it is made up of two elements: the agreement to commit an offence, and the act done in pursuance of the agreement. The agreement must be made between two or more persons, and it must be to commit an offence. The act done in pursuance of the agreement must amount to a criminal offence.
If all of these elements are present, then the person(s) who made the agreement and the person(s) who did the act in pursuance of the agreement can be charged with criminal conspiracy.
Section 120A is a serious offence, and it can carry a maximum punishment of seven years imprisonment.