In Brief
Murugan was convicted for kidnapping and murder of the victim Murugan under Sections 364 and 302 read with Section 34 IPC, based on circumstantial evidence. The victim refused to approve the main accused Kumar's proposal to marry his daughter; Kumar and Murugan (the appellant, Kumar's cousin) invited the victim to dinner, where all three dined together; and the victim died that night. The appellant failed to discredit three prosecution witnesses or explain the incriminating circumstances. The Supreme Court upheld the conviction, holding that eight linked circumstances established common intention between the appellant and Kumar. The death of the principal accused Kumar before trial was held immaterial, as both accused actively participated in the crime based on shared intent.
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