In Brief
In 1998, after a dispute over a broken electrical pole, 14 men armed with weapons attacked the complainant and others. One man died from head injuries. The trial court convicted all 14 for murder under Section 302 read with Section 149 IPC (unlawful assembly). The High Court acquitted most of them, saying murder was not the common object. The Supreme Court held that while Section 302 conviction could not be upheld, the accused formed an unlawful assembly with common intent to injure. The Court convicted them under Section 326 (causing grievous hurt) read with Section 149, and sentenced them to time already served.
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