In Brief
Three men were convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC following a violent altercation over disputed land. The Supreme Court set aside the murder convictions and instead found them guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 304 Part II IPC. The Court held that while the appellants had knowledge that their weapons (a spade blow and a sickle blow to the head) could cause death, they lacked the intention to kill. The incident arose from a sudden verbal quarrel without premeditation. Since the appellants had already served over 11.5 years imprisonment against a 10-year sentence, they were ordered released immediately.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.