Correct option is C
In this case, 'A' administered a fatal dose of poison to 'Z' with the intention to murder, which would have eventually killed 'Z'. However, before the poison could take effect, a stranger 'B' shot 'Z' dead without any knowledge of A’s actions. Therefore:
· 'A' did not directly cause 'Z's death because 'B's act of shooting interrupted the causal link between the poison and 'Z's death. As a result, 'A' would be guilty of an attempt to murder, as his actions had the intent but did not directly lead to the death.
· 'B' caused 'Z's immediate death by shooting him. Therefore, 'B' would be guilty of murder, as his actions directly caused the death of 'Z'.
Information Booster
Attempt to Murder (Section 307, IPC)
An attempt to murder is when someone, with the intent to cause death, performs an act that falls short of causing death. 'A' administered poison intending to kill 'Z'. However, since 'Z' was shot by 'B' before the poison took effect, 'A' would be charged with attempt to murder under Section 307 of the IPC.
Murder (Section 302, IPC)
'B' shot 'Z', causing his immediate death, which qualifies as murder under Section 302 of the IPC. 'B' acted with the intent to kill and his action directly resulted in 'Z's death, making him liable for murder.
Additional Knowledge
Culpable Homicide (Section 299, IPC)
Culpable homicide is when a person causes death with the intention of causing death or with the knowledge that the act is likely to cause death, but it is not considered murder under specific conditions. In this case, however, 'A's action does not fit the definition of culpable homicide because 'A' did not directly cause the death of 'Z'—it was 'B's intervention that led to the death.
