In Brief
The State appealed a High Court order that altered the conviction of accused Ramavtar from murder (Section 302/149 IPC) to culpable homicide not amounting to murder (Section 304 Part II IPC) in a fatal head injury case during a free fight. The Supreme Court held that the High Court erred in reducing the conviction based solely on use of the blunt side of a Farsa. While acknowledging that a single blow on the vital part of the body can constitute murder, the Court found that given the free-fight context and circumstances, the appropriate conviction was Section 304 Part I IPC (culpable homicide), not Part II. The Court altered the conviction, imposed 8 years RI plus fine, and granted 4 weeks to surrender.
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