In Brief
The State of Himachal Pradesh challenged a High Court judgment that had downgraded the accused's conviction from murder (Section 302 IPC) to culpable homicide not amounting to murder (Section 304 Part II IPC). The accused had struck the deceased with a wooden danda on the head, causing a skull fracture and brain matter exudation. The High Court reasoned that because the accused had carried a sharp instrument but used only the danda, he lacked intent to murder. The Supreme Court allowed the State's appeal, holding that anyone inflicting such severe head injuries must be presumed to have knowledge or intent that death would result. The conviction for murder was restored.
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