IPC Section 135
IPC Section 135 — Concealing with intent to facilitate design to commit an offence
Text of Section 135 (Simplified):
Whoever, knowing or having reason to believe that an offence has been committed, or intending to facilitate the commission of an offence, conceals any person guilty of such offence, or harbors him, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Explanation:
1. Who is the offender?
Any person who conceals or harbors a person who:
Has committed an offence, or
Is about to commit an offence.
2. What does "concealing" or "harboring" mean?
Concealing means hiding a person from the authorities or the public.
Harboring means sheltering or giving refuge to such a person.
3. Knowledge or belief required:
The offender must know or have reason to believe that the person they are concealing:
Has already committed a crime, or
Is planning to commit a crime.
This means mere accidental sheltering without knowledge is not punishable.
4. Intent:
The intent behind concealing or harboring must be to help or facilitate the commission of an offence or to protect the offender from being caught or punished.
5. Punishment:
Imprisonment: Up to 2 years
Fine: May be imposed
Or both imprisonment and fine
6. Examples:
If a person hides a thief who just robbed a house, knowing the person is a criminal, to protect them from arrest, it falls under Section 135.
If someone shelters a person planning to commit a crime, with the intention to help them escape the law, this is also covered.
7. Relation to Other Sections:
Section 216 IPC: Punishment for harboring a criminal after the offence has been committed (usually harsher penalty).
Section 135 is more about concealing or harboring to facilitate or protect an offender.
Summary:
Section 135 IPC penalizes those who knowingly hide or protect offenders or potential offenders to help them evade law enforcement or complete their crime.
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