Question

'X' fires a shot at 'A' intending to kill him, but the bullet misses 'A' and kills 'B', a passer-by, whose death 'X' neither intended nor knew to be likely. Under Section 301 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Section 102 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023), of what offence, if any, is 'X' guilty?

Q: Answer-'X' fires a shot at 'A' intending to kill him, but the bullet misses 'A' and kills 'B', a passer-by,...

Explanation Section 301 IPC Section 102 BNS embody the doctrine of transfer of malice the offenders culpable homicide is of the same description as if he had killed the intended person, so since killing A would have been murder, X is guilty of murder of B.