In Brief
Omanakuttan was convicted under Section 326 IPC for pouring acid on his neighbour Sunil Kumar in 1997, causing extensive burns on the head, neck, chest, and thigh. The victim was hospitalised for over 50 days. The Supreme Court upheld the conviction and dismissed the appeal, rejecting the argument that the absence of explicit victim testimony about severe pain negated the charge. Extensive acid-burn injuries inherently satisfy Section 320 criteria for grievous hurt. While the Court found the one-year sentence inadequate given the offence's gravity, it refrained from enhancement considering the 22-year time lapse and the appellant's advanced age.
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