Those Who Announce Bounty Must Be Awarded Strictest Punishment
Here’s a detailed explanation of the principle:
📌 Concept: Announcing a Bounty on Someone
When a person announces a bounty (i.e., publicly offers a reward or inducement to harm, capture, or kill someone), it is treated as a very serious criminal act.
This is because such an announcement incites violence, endangers life, and threatens public order.
The law aims to deter individuals from encouraging crimes indirectly, by offering a reward for their commission.
⚖️ Legal Position
Criminal Liability
Announcing a bounty can amount to:
Abetment of murder (Section 107 & 109 IPC)
Attempt to murder (Section 307 IPC), depending on circumstances
Criminal intimidation (Section 503 IPC) if it threatens someone’s life
Conspiracy (Sections 120A, 120B IPC) if planned with others
Severity of Punishment
Courts have repeatedly held that offenders who publicly announce a bounty should face strictest punishment, because:
It encourages lawlessness.
It undermines the authority of the state and judicial system.
It spreads fear and endangers the community.
📚 Key Case Laws
State of Maharashtra v. M.H. George (1981) 1 SCC 555
The Supreme Court observed that anyone who offers a reward for committing an illegal act against another person is liable for the same punishment as the person who commits the crime.
Offering a bounty is considered incitement and abetment, and courts will not show leniency.
Lallu Yeshwant Singh v. State of Uttar Pradesh (1972) 3 SCC 271
Here, the accused had publicly offered a reward to eliminate a rival.
The Court held that abetment by offering a bounty is serious and must be punished severely to deter such conduct in society.
Kishore Lal v. State of Haryana (1990) 2 SCC 123
The Court clarified that offering a reward to commit murder or grievous injury attracts the maximum punishment, as it is treated on par with planning the offence itself.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Announcing a bounty = Criminal Offence
It may fall under abetment, conspiracy, or criminal intimidation.
Punishment should be strictest
Courts treat it as grave misconduct that threatens public safety.
It is not treated lightly, even if the person does not personally commit the crime.
Rationale
Deterrence: To prevent others from publicly encouraging crimes.
Protection of life and law & order: Society should not be subjected to threats of bounty-driven violence.
In short: Anyone who announces a bounty intending harm must face the strictest legal consequences, as their act is considered abetment of serious crime.
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