Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) refers to the punishment for criminal conspiracy. The legal document extensively discusses this provision in the context of the 1993 Bombay serial bomb blasts case, where a common charge of conspiracy under Section 120B IPC was framed against all co-accused, read with Section 3(3) of TADA and other offences.

Key Elements from the Document:

• (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) : Defines criminal conspiracy under Section 120A IPC (agreement between two or more persons to do an illegal act or legal act by illegal means). Section 120B prescribes punishment: for conspiracy to commit offences punishable with death/life imprisonment/rigorous imprisonment of 2+ years, punishment mirrors abetment of such offence; otherwise, up to 6 months imprisonment/fine/both.
• (!) (!) : The principal charge framed against all accused (including appellants like A-1 Yakub Abdul Razak Memon) under Section 120B IPC read with TADA Sections 3(2)(i)(ii), 3(3), etc., and IPC Sections 302, 307, etc., alleging agreement to commit terrorist acts via bombs/explosives/arms at 12 Bombay locations on 12.03.1993, causing 257 deaths, 713 injuries, and Rs.27 crore property damage.
• (!) (!) : A-1 convicted and sentenced to death under this charge (among others).
• (!) (!) : Similar convictions/sentences for other appellants (e.g., A-32, A-36, A-39) under Section 120B read with TADA/IPC offences.
• (!) : Courts recognize conspiracy as a substantive offence; mere agreement suffices if overt acts follow (theory of agency applies via Evidence Act Section 10).
• (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) : Principles: Prosecution proves agreement by implication from conduct/circumstances; continuing offence; all conspirators liable for acts in pursuance (joint responsibility); no need for all to know full details or participate equally; proved by confessions (admissible under TADA Section 15 against co-accused).
• (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) : Evidence (confessions, PW-2, recoveries, passports) proves A-1's key role (finance, tickets, arms handling), supporting conspiracy conviction.
• ** (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) [p_