Whoever within or without [India] conspires to commit any of the offences punishable by section 121, 9*** or conspires to overawe, by means of criminal force or the show of criminal force, 1[the Central Government or any 1[State] Government 12***], shall be punished with 1[imprisonment for life], or with imprisonment of either description which may extend to ten years, 1[and shall also be liable to fine].
Explanation.—To constitute a conspiracy under this section, it is not necessary that any act or illegal omission shall take place in pursuance thereof.]