In Brief
Jugut Ram was convicted of murdering the deceased by striking him with a lathi. On appeal, the Supreme Court found critical evidentiary gaps: independent witnesses were not examined, serological evidence matching blood groups was not established, and the lathi's recovery was not properly proved. The Court held that the attack appeared momentary and unpremeditateed, with both assailant and victim sustaining injuries. Considering the circumstances and nature of injuries cumulatively, the Court determined the case warranted culpable homicide, not murder. As the appellant had already served the maximum sentence for the lesser offence, the conviction was set aside and the appellant directed to be released.
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