In Brief
Gopal Singh was convicted of firing a country-made pistol at his neighbour's son, causing a firearm injury. The High Court set aside the conviction for attempted murder but upheld the conviction under Section 324 IPC (voluntarily causing hurt with a weapon). The Supreme Court upheld the conviction, holding that non-recovery of the weapon does not discredit credible eyewitness testimony supported by medical evidence and pellet recovery from the crime scene. However, the Court reduced the sentence from three years to one year rigorous imprisonment, considering the nature of the injury, the 20-year lapse, absence of prior criminal record, and principles of proportionate sentencing. The Court also imposed compensation of Rs. 20,000 to the victim.
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