Section 47 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
**Section 47 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023**, addresses the legal principle of abetment concerning offences committed outside India. It establishes that an individual in India can be held criminally liable for instigating or aiding the commission of an act outside India, provided that act would constitute an offence if committed within India.([vakilsearch.com][1])
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### 📜 Text of Section 47
**Section 47. Abetment in India of offences outside India**
A person abets an offence within the meaning of this Sanhita who, in India, abets the commission of any act without and beyond India which would constitute an offence if committed in India.([prashantkanha.com][2])
**Illustration:**
A, in India, instigates B, a foreigner in country X, to commit a murder in that country. A is guilty of abetting murder.([constitutionofindia.in][3])
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### ⚖️ Key Points
* **Jurisdictional Reach**: This provision extends India's legal jurisdiction beyond its borders, holding individuals accountable for crimes they instigate or aid, even if the actual offence occurs outside India.([vakilsearch.com][1])
* **Equivalence to Domestic Offences**: The act abetted must be one that would be punishable under Indian law if committed within India. This ensures that only serious and recognised offences are covered.([vakilsearch.com][1])
* **Illustrative Example**: If an individual in India persuades someone in another country to commit a crime that would be illegal in India, such as fraud or murder, the person in India can be charged with abetment under this section.([vakilsearch.com][1])
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### 🔄 Comparison with IPC
Section 47 of the BNS, 2023, aligns with Section 108A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which similarly addresses the abetment of offences outside India. However, the BNS provides a more detailed framework and modernised language, reflecting India's evolving approach to international legal accountability. ([vakilsearch.com][1])
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### 🌐 Practical Implications
This section is particularly pertinent in an era of global interconnectedness, where crimes such as cyber offences, terrorism, and financial fraud can have cross-border implications. By holding individuals in India accountable for abetting such crimes abroad, the BNS reinforces India's commitment to international justice and cooperation.
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