A, intending to murder Z by poison, purchases poison and mixes the sam

A, intending to murder Z by poison, purchases poison and mixes the same with food which he delivers to Z’s servant to place it on Z’s table. A is guilty of

no offence
attempt to commit murder
criminal conspiracy to commit murder
attempt to commit culpable homicide not amounting to murder
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2019
The correct option is B) attempt to commit murder.
Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code deals with the attempt to murder. An attempt is made when the accused does an act towards the commission of the intended crime, and this act is a proximate step towards its commission. Mere preparation is not an attempt, but the act of purchasing poison, mixing it, and delivering it to the servant to be placed on the victim’s table goes beyond preparation and is a direct step towards administering the poison, showing a clear intention to cause death.
Preparation is the stage before the attempt. Buying poison is preparation. Mixing it and arranging for its administration crosses the threshold into an attempt because it is a direct step in the sequence of events leading to the intended murder. Section 307 provides for punishment for such attempts, even if the intended act (causing death) does not occur. Criminal conspiracy requires an agreement between two or more persons to commit an illegal act; while there might be an element of instigation if A involved the servant, the question focuses on A’s actions towards Z. Culpable homicide not amounting to murder involves a lesser degree of intention or knowledge than murder.
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