Indian Penal Code, 1860
IPC Section 34 in BNS
Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention. Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) corresponds to Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Verify before you rely on this. Renumbering under the 2023 codes is not a clean one-to-one exercise — provisions were merged, split and reworded. Always check the printed bare act.
Where this sits in the exam
This provision is examined under IPC & Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, worth 8 of the 100 marks in AIBE XXII. The paper permits bare acts but bans notes, so what matters is finding it quickly, not reciting the number.
Questions that turn on this section
Acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention are dealt with under:
Answer & explanation
Section 3(5) BNS
BNS Section 3(5) corresponds to IPC Section 34. It is a rule of evidence creating joint liability; it does not create a substantive offence.
Common intention under Section 3(5) BNS requires:
Answer & explanation
A prior meeting of minds, however sudden, before the act is committed
The distinction from common object: § 3(5) needs a shared intention; unlawful assembly needs only a shared object and five persons.
Sections either side of it
How the neighbouring provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 were renumbered:
| IPC | Provision | BNS |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | Co-operation by doing one of several acts constituting an offence | 3(8) |
| 38 | Persons concerned in criminal act may be guilty of different offences | 3(9) |
| 53 | Punishments | 4 |
Practise it
Cutoff has AIBE XXII questions on this area, each cited to both codes with a line telling you where to find it in the bare act. Ten questions per subject are free, no account needed.
Practise free Full IPC→BNS table