Whoever intending to facilitate or knowing it to be likely that be will thereby facilitate the commission of an offence punishable with death or *[imprisonment for life],
Voluntarily conceals, by any act or illegal omission, the existence of a design to commit such offence or makes any representation which he knows to be false respecting such design,
If offence be committed--if offence be not committed-shall, if that offence be committed, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or, if the offence be not committed, with imprisonment of either description, for a term which may extend to three years; and in either case shall also be liable to fine.
Illustration
A, knowing that dacoity is about to be committed at B, falsely informs the Magistrate that a dacoity is about to be committed at C, a place in an opposite direction, and thereby misleads the Magistrate with intent to facilitate the commission of the offence. The dacoity is committed at B in pursuance of the design. A is punishable under this section.
*Subs. by Act 26 of 1955, sec.117 and sch., for "Transportation for life" (w.e.f. 1-1-2024).