In Brief
Nankaunoo was convicted of murdering Chhedi Lal with a country-made pistol following a quarrel at a barber shop. The High Court affirmed the conviction under Section 302 IPC (murder). On appeal, the Supreme Court modified the conviction to Section 304 Part 1 IPC (culpable homicide not amounting to murder). Although eyewitness evidence clearly established the shooting and intent, the gunshot injury was to the inner left thigh—a non-vital organ. The Court held that since the prosecution failed to adduce medical evidence proving the injury was sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause death, the offence could not be treated as murder. The appellant was re-sentenced to ten years' rigorous imprisonment.
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