3. Attempt to commit sati.—Notwithstanding anything contained in the Indian Penal Code(45 of
1860), whoever attempts to commit sati and does any act towards such commission shall be punishable
with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine or with both:
Provided that the Special Court trying an offence under this section shall, before convicting any
person, take into consideration the circumstances leading to the commission of the offence, the act
committed, the state or mind of the person charged of the offence at the time of the commission of the act
and all other relevant factors.
4. Abetment of sati.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860),
if any person commits sati, whoever abets the commission of such sati, either directly or indirectly, shall
be punishable with death or imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine.
(2) If any person attempts to commit sati, whoever abets such attempt, either directly or indirectly,
shall be punishable with imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, any of the following acts or the like shall also be
deemed to be an abetment, namely:—
(a) any inducement to a widow or woman to get her burnt or buried alive along with the body of
her deceased husband or with any other relative or with any article, object or thing associated with the
husband or such relative, irrespective of whether she is in a fit state of mind or is labouring under a
state of intoxication or stupefaction or other cause impeding the exercise of her free will;
(b) making a widow or woman believe that the commission of sati would result in some spiritual
benefit to her or her deceased husband or relative or the general well being of the family;
(c) encouraging a widow or woman to remain fixed in her resolve to commit sati and thus
instigating her to commit sati;
(d) participating in any procession in connection with the commission of sati or aiding the widow
or woman in her decision to commit sati by taking her along with body of her deceased husband or
relation to the cremation or burial ground;
(e) being present at the place where sati is committed as an active participant to such commission
or to any ceremony connected with it;
(f) preventing or obstructing the widow or woman from saving herself from being burnt or buried
alive;
(g) obstructing, or interfering with, the police in the discharge of its duties of taking any steps to
prevent the commission of sati.
5. Punishment for glorification of sati.—Whoever does any act for the glorification of sati shall be
punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to
seven years and with fine which shall not be less than five thousand rupees but which may extend to thirty
thousand rupees.