In Brief
Guru and others appealed their conviction for murdering Saroja. All accused came armed with sickles, an iron pipe, and wooden staffs. The Supreme Court held that pre-armed participation negates the Exception 4 to Section 300 IPC (sudden quarrel heat of passion), as it shows premeditation, not spontaneity. A-1's blow to the head with a sickle causing skull fracture constituted murder. However, A-2's iron pipe blow caused only minor abrasions incapable of causing death, warranting conviction under Section 324 (hurt) rather than Section 302 (murder). A-1's conviction upheld; A-2's conviction altered and sentence reduced to time served; A-3, A-5, A-9's convictions upheld.
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