In Brief
In this case, eleven accused persons were convicted of murder under Sections 302 and 149 IPC (unlawful assembly with common object) for the death of Kennedy, who was killed by a bomb explosion in January 1994. The Supreme Court modified the convictions, holding that while Accused Nos. 1 to 3 carried bombs indicating shared intention to murder, Accused Nos. 4 to 10 (armed only with sticks and sickles) had no knowledge that bombs would be used and could not be convicted under Section 149 IPC. The court acquitted Accused Nos. 4 to 10 of murder but modified their convictions for lesser offences. Sahayam was convicted under Section 34 IPC (common intention) and Joseph under Section 109 IPC (abetment) instead of Section 149 IPC.
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