Holding

The killing constitutes culpable homicide not amounting to murder under section 304 Part I IPC, not murder under section 302 IPC.

Summary

Laxman and several co‑accused shot arrows at a group during a dispute; one arrow struck the deceased, who died instantly. The trial court convicted them under sections 148, 302/149 and 324/149 IPC, and the High Court upheld a conviction of murder under section 302 IPC against Laxman. Laxman appealed, contending the incident was a sudden quarrel and that the killing did not meet the criteria for murder. The Supreme Court examined the distinction between "sufficient in the ordinary course of nature" (section 300(3)) and "likely to cause death" (section 299(b)), and held that the arrow, fired from a distance without accuracy, did not constitute a bodily injury sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause death. Consequently, the appropriate charge was culpable homicide not amounting to murder under section 304 Part I IPC, and the conviction was altered accordingly. The appeal was allowed and a ten‑year sentence was affirmed.

Issues considered

What is the correct offence under the IPC for the death caused by an arrow shot from a distance without accuracy?
Does the act satisfy the mens rea and injury criteria for murder under section 302 IPC?
Is the incident a "sudden quarrel" that would reduce liability under sections 148/149?

Legislation cited

Indian Penal Code, 1860s. 148, s. 149, s. 299, s. 300, s. 302, s. 304(1), s. 304(2), s. 324

Subjects

murderculpable homicide not amounting to murderSection 302 IPCSection 304 IPCmens reaarrow shootingsudden quarrelprobability of death

Judgment

A LAX MAN
v.
STATE OF M.P.

SEPTEMBER 18. 2006

B [ARIJIT PASAYAT AND LOKESHWAR SINGH PANTA, JJ.]

Penal Code. 1860: Sections 300, 302 and 304 Part I.

Murder-Culpable homicide not amounting to 11111rder-Distinc1ion
C between-Accused stopped the deceased and shot an arrow from a distance
which hit the deceased who fell down and died immediately-Trial courl,
placing reliance on the evidence ofeye-witnesses, convicled lhe accused under
Ss. 148. 3021149 and 3241149-But High Court convicted /he accused only
under S. 302--Correc//less of-Held: All 'murder' is 'culpable homicide' bu/
D not vice-versa-- 'Culpable homicide' sans 'special characteristics of murder
is 'cu/pahle homicide not amounling to murder '-Arroll's \l'ere being shol
fi"om a dis1a11ce, no/ wilh any accuracy--One ofsuch arrows hit lhe deceased-
Hence. com'iclion allered to one under S. 304 Part I.

Words and Phrases:
E
"Sufficient in the ordinWJ' course ofnature "-Meaning of-In the context
of S. 300 Clause (3) of the Penal Code, 1860.

According to the prosecution, the appellant-accused stopped the
deceased and shot an arrow from a distance which hit the deceased who
F fell down and died immediately. The appellant and eight persons were
prosecuted for offences under Sections 148, 302/149 and 324/149 of the
Penal Code, 1860. Placing reliance on the evidence of eye-witnesses, the
trial court found the appellant guilty of the offences. In appeal, the High
Court convicted the appellant under Section 302 IPC. Hence the appeal.

G On behalf of the appellant-accused, it was contended that the
occurrence took place in the course of a sudden quarrel and, therefore, •.
the conviction was not correct and that, in any event, Section 302 IPC had
no application to the facts of the prefent case.

H 338
LAX MAN v. STATE OF M.P. 339
Allowing the appeal, the Court A
HELD: I. All 'murder' is 'culpable homicide' but not vice-versa.
Speaking generally, 'culpable homicide' sans 'special characteristics of
murder is culpable homicide not anwunting to murder'. For the purpose
of fixing punishment, proportionate to the gravity of the generic offence,
the IPC practically recognizes three degrees of culpable homicide. The first B
is what may be called 'culpable homicide of the first degree'. This is the
greatest form of culpable homicide, which is defined in Section 300 IPC
as 'murder'. The second may be termed as 'culpable homicide of the
second degree'. This is punishable under the first part of Section 304 IPC.
Then, there is 'culpable homicide of the third degree'. This is the lowest C
type of culpable homicide and the punishment provided for it is also the
lowest among the punishment for the three grades. Culpable homicide of
this degree is punishable under the second part of Section 304.
(343-A, B, q

2. Clause (b) of Section 299 IPC corresponds with Clauses (2) and D
(3) of Section 300 IPC. The distinguishing feature of the mens rea requisite
under Clause (2) is the knowledge possessed by the offender regarding the
particular victim being in such a peculiar condition or state of health that
the internal harm caused to him is likely to be fatal, notwithstanding the
fact that such harm would not in the ordinary way of nature be sufficient
to cause death of a person in normal health or condition. It is noteworthy E
that the 'intention to cause death' is not an essential requirement of Clause
(2). Only the intention of causing the bodily injury coupled with the
offender's knowledge of the likelihood of such injury causing the death of
the particular \'ictim is sufficient to bring the killing within the ambit of
the clause. This aspect of Clause (2) is borne out by illustration (b) F
appended to Section 300 IPC. 1344-D, E, Fl

3. Clause (b) of Section 299 IPC does not postulate any such
knowledge on the part of the offender. Instances of cases of falling under
Clause (2) of Section 300 IPC can be where tlie assailant causes death by
a fist blow intentionally gi\'en knowing that the victim is suffering from G
an enlarged liver, or enlarged spleen or diseased heart and such blow is
likely to cause death of that particular person as a result of the rupture
of the liver, or spleen or the failure of the heart, as the case may be. If the
assailant had no such knowledge about the disease or special frailty of the
victim, nor an intention to cause death or bodily injury sufficient in the
ordinary course of nature to cause death, the offence will not be murder, H
340 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2006] SUPP. 6 S.C.R.

A even if the injury which caused the death was intentionally given. In Clause
(3) of Section 300 IPC, instead of the words 'likely to cause death'
occurring in the corresponding Clause (b) of Section 299 IPC, the words
"sufficient in the ordinary course of nature" have been used. Obviously,
the distinction lies between a bodily injury likely to cause death and a
B bodily injury sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause death.
The distinction is fine but real and if overlooked, may result in miscarriage
of justice. The difference between Clause (b) of Section 299 IPC and Clause
(3) of Section 300 I PC is one of the degrees of probability of death resulting
from the intended bodily injury. To put it more broadly, it is the degree
of probability of death which determines whether a culpable homicide is
C of the gravest, medium or of the lowest degree. The word 'likely' in Clause
(b) of Section 299 IPC conveys the sense of probability as distinguished
from a mere possibility. The words "bodily injury....... sufficient in the
ordinary course of nature to cause death" mean that death will be the
"most probable result" of the injury, having regard to the ordinary course
of nature. 1344-G, H; 345-A, B, C, DI
D
Rajwani v. State of Kera/a, AIR (1966) SC 1874 and Virsa Singh v.
State of Punjab, AIR (1958) SC 465, relied on.

4. Clause (c) and Clause (4) of Section 300 IPC both require
knowledge of the probability of the act causing death. It is not necessary
E for the purpose of this case to dilate much on the distinction between these
corresponding clauses. It will be sufficient to say that clause (4) of Section
300 IPC would be applicable where the knowledge of the offender as to
the probability of death of a person or persons in general as distinguished
from a particular person or persons-being caused from his imminently
dangerous act approximates to a practical certainty. Such knowledge on
F the part of the offender must be of the highest degree of probability, the
act having been committed by the offender without any excuse for
incurring the risk of causing death or such injury as aforesaid.
1347-D, E, Fl

State of Andhra Pradesh v. Rayavarapu Punnayya, 119761 4 SCC 382,
G Abdul Waheed Khan Iii,' Waheed v. State of Andhra Pradesh. 120021 7 SCC
175 and Tangaiya v. State of Tamil Nadu. 1200519 SCC 650, relied on.

5. The fact situation shows that arrows were being shot from a
distance, not with any accuracy. One of such arrows hit the deceased. As
established by the evidence of eye-witnesses the appellant had shot that
H arrow. There was no sudden quarrel as stated by the appellant. The
LAX MAN v. STATE OF M.P. [PASA YAT, J.] 341
evidence shows otherwise. (348-A, B( A
6. Considering the background facts as noted above the appellant
has to be convicted in terms of Section 304 Part ! IPC and not in terms of
Section 302 IPC. The conviction is accordingly altered. (348-B, q

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Criminal Appeal No. 974 B
of 2006.

From the final Judgment and Order dated 13.12.2004 of the High Court
of Madhya Pradesh (Indore Bench) in Criminal Appeal No. 120/1997.

Ramesh Chandra Pandey for the Appellant. c
Vibha Datta Makhija for the Respondent.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

ARIJIT PASAYAT, J. Leave granted. D
Appellant calls in question legality of the judgment rendered by a
Division Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Indore Bench. The accused
are described as per their number during trial. Appellant Laxman (A I) was
found guilty of the offence punishable under Section 302 of the Indian Penal
Code, 1860 (in short the 'IPC'). Three others i.e. Chhattariya (A3), Richhu E
(AS) and Nawal Singh (AS) were convicted under Section 324 !PC. The High
Court allowed the appeal so far as it relates to Bhoomaliya (A2), Kishan
(A4), Bathilaya (A6), Banshiya (A 7) and Rai Singh (A9) and acquitted them
of all charges. Appellant Laxman was acquitted of the charge under Sections
148 and 324 read with Section 149 IPC. Three accused who were convicted
under Section 324 IPC, were acquitted of the charges under Sections 148, F
302 read with Section 149 !PC.

Initially 9 persons had faced trial for alleged commission of offences
punishable under Sections 148, 302 and 324 read with Section 149 IPC. One
of the accused who faced trial along with 9 others had died during the trial. G
Prosecution version in a nutshell is as follows:

On 12.3.1993 there was the festival of Rangpanchami. Chastar
(hereinafter referred to as 'deceased') and Guiab Singh (PW9) had gone
Gadaghat to take the food grain. and were coming back to the house after H
342 SUPREME COURT REPORTS 120061 SUPP. 6 S.C.R.

A taking the food grains from the bullock cart. On the way the accused Laxman
(A I). Chatarsingh (A3 ). Bashiy (A 7), Raisingh (A 9), Navalsingh (AS).
Reechoo (AS), Nakoo, Bathalya (A6) Bhomalya (A'.?.) and Kishan (A4) stopped
Chastar and Guiab in tht: field of Remsingh situated on the backside of the
house of Navadiya at about 11 A.M. Guiab ran away from the spot and told
the villagers that the accused persons have stopped the deceased and were
B assaulting him. On hearing this the complainant Anar Singh (PW-I). Kai
Singh (PW- I0), Resala (PW-12) and other persons of the village went running
to the place of incident. The accused persons started shooting arrows and
pelting stones. The accused Chatariya (A-3) shot an arrow which hit on the
right shoulder of the complainant. The accused Lax man (A- I ) shot an arrow
C which hit the deceased and on sustaining the injuries the deceased fell down
and died immediately. The accused Reechoo (A-5) shot an arrow which hit
Kai Singh (P-10) in his back and the accused Naval Singh (A-8) also shot_ an
arrow which hit Resala (PW-12). When deceased fell down. the accused run
away. The complainant was having old enmity with the accused persons. due
to this reason the accused persons committed murder of the deceased who
D was nephew of the complainant. and he also sustained injuries. The
complainant Anar Singh reported the incident on the same day in writing at
the police station, which is Ext.P-1. Medical examination of the injured persons
was done. After investigation the charge sheet was filed in the court of the
Judicial Magistrate, First Class. Khargon under Sections 147, 148, 149, 302
E and 324 l.P.C., which was registered as Criminal Case No.380/93. Case was
transferred to the Sessions Court. After transfer of the case, the case was
taken for trial.

In order to establish its accusations prosecution mainly rested on the
evidence of PWs I, 9, I0 and 12 who were stated to be eye witnesses.
F Placing reliance on the evidence of eye witnesses, the Trial Court found the
accused persons guilty and convicted and sentenced as noted supra. The
appeal filed by the nine accused persons was disposed of in the manner noted
supra. The judgment is challenged by Laxman (A-1) only.

In support of the appeal, learned counsel for the appellant submitted
G that the occurrence took place in the course of sudden quarrel, and therefore
conviction as done is not correct and in any event Section 302 IPC has no
application to the facts of the present case.

Learned counsel for the State submitted that the Trial Court and the
H High Court have analysed the evidence in great detail and have rightly held
LAXMAN v. STATE OF M.P. [PASAYAT, J.j 343
that Section 302 IPC has application.
A
The crucial question is as to which was the appropriate provision to be
applied. In the scheme of the IPC culpable homicide is genus and 'murder'
is its specie. All 'murder' is 'culpable homicide' but not vice"versa. Speaking
generally, 'culpable homicide' sans 'special characteristics of murder is
culpable homicide not amounting to murder'. For the purpose of fixing B
punishment, proportionate to the gravity of the generic offence, the IPC
practically recognizes three degrees of culpable homicide. The first is, what
may be called, 'culpable homicide of the first degree'. This is the greatest
fonn of culpable homidde, which is defined in Section 300 as 'murder'. The
second may be termed as 'culpable homicide of the second degree'. This is
punishable under the first part of Section 304. Then, there is 'culpable homicide C
of the third degree'. This is the lowest type of culpable homicide and the
punishment provided for it is, also the lowest among the punishment for the
three grades. Culpable homicide of this degree is punishable under the second
part of Section 304.

The academic distinction between 'murder' and 'culpable honiicide not D
amounti.ng to murder' has always vexed the Courts. The confusion is caused,
if Courts losing sight of the true scope and meaning of the terms used by the
legislature in these sections, allow themselves to be drawn into minute
abstractions. The safest way of approach to the interpretation and application
of these provisions seems to be to keep in focus the keywords used in the E
various clauses of Sections 299 and 300 IPC. The following comparative
table will be helpful in appreciating the points distinction between the two
offences.

Section 299 Section 300 A
F
A person commits culpable Subject to certain exceptions
homicide if the act by which the culpable homicide is murder if
death is caused is done- the act by which the death is
caused is done -
INTENTION
G
(a) with the intention of causing (I) with the intention of causing
•.
death; or death; or

(b) with the intention of causing (2) with the intention of causing
such bodily injury as is likely to such bodily injuries as the H
cause death; or
344 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2006) SUPP. 6 S.C.R.

A offender knows to be likely to
cause the death of the person to
whom the hann is caused; or

(3) with the intention of causing
bodily injury to any person and
B the bodily injury intended to be
inflicted is sufficient in the
ordinary course of nature to
cause death; or
KNOWLEDGE
c (c) with the knowledge that the act (4) with the knowledge that the
is likely to cause death. act is so imminently dangerous
that it must in all probability
cause death or such bodily injury
as is likely to cause death, and
D without any excuse for incurring
the risk of causing death or such
injury as is mentioned above.

Clause (b) of Section 299 IPC corresponds with Clauses (2) and (3) of
E Section 300 IPC. The distinguishing feature of the mens rea requisite under
Clause (2) is the knowledge possessed by the offender regarding the particular
victim being in such a peculiar condition or state of health that the internal
harm caused to him is likely to be fatal, notwithstanding the fact that such
harn1 would not in the ordinary way of nature be sufficient to cause death of
a person in normal health or condition. It is noteworthy that tlie 'intention to
F cause death' is not an essential requirement of Clause (2). Only the intention
of causing the bodily injury coupled with the offender's knowledge of the
likelihood of such injury causing the death of the particular victim, is sufficient
to bring the killing within the ambit of this clause. This aspect of Clause (2)
is borne out by illustration (b) appended to Section 300 IPC.
G Clause (b) of Section 299 IPC does not postulate any such knowledge
on the part of the offender. Instances of cases of falling under Clause (2) of
Section 300 IPC can be where the <:>sailant causes death by a fist blow
intentionally given knowing that the victim is suffering from an enlarged
liver, or enlarged spleen or diseased heart and such blow is likely to cause
H death of that particular person as a result: of the rupture of the liver, or spleen
LAXMAN v. STATE OF M.P. [PASAYAT.J.] 345
or the failure of the heart, as the case may be. If the assailant had no such A
knowledge about the disease or special frailty of the victim, nor an intention
to cause death or bodily injury sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to
cause death, the offence will not be murder, even if the injury which caused
the death, was intentionally given. In Clause (3) of Section 300 IPC, instead
of the words 'likely to cause death' occurring in the corresponding Clause (b) B
of Section 299 IPC, the words "sufficient in the ordinary course of nature"
have been used. Obviously, the distinction lies between a bodily injury likely
to cause death and a bodily injury sufficient in the ordinary course of nature
to cause death. The distinction is fine but real and if overlooked, may result
in miscarriage of justice. The difference between Clause (b) of Section 299
IPC and Clause (3) of Section 300 IPC is one of the degree of probability of C
death resulting from the intended bodily injury. To put it more broadly, it is
the degree of probability of death which determines whether a culpable
homicide is of the gravest, medium or of the lowest degree. The word 'likely'
in Clause (b) of Section 299 IPC conveys the sense of probability as
distinguished from a mere possibility. The words "bodily injury ..... sufticient
in the ordinary course of nature to cause death" mean that death will be the D
"most probable'· result of the injury, having regard to the ordinary course of
nature.

For cases to fall within Clause (3), it is not necessary that the offender
intended to cause death, so long as the death ensues from .the intentional E
bodily injury or injuries sufficient to cause death in the ordinary course of
nature. Rajwani and Anr. v. State of Kera/a, AIR (1966) SC 1874 is an apt
illustration of this point.

In Virsa Singh v. State of Punjab, AIR (1958) SC 465, Vivian Bose, J.
speaking for the Court, explained the meaning and scope of Clause (3). It F
was observed that the prosecution must prove the following acts before it can
bring a case under Section 300 IPC, "thirdly". First, it must establish quite
objectively, that a bodily injury is present; secondly the nature of the injury
must be proved. These are purely objective investigations. Thirdly, it must be
proved that there was an intention .to inflict that particular injury, that is to
say, that it was not accidental or unintentional or that some other .kind of G
injury was intended. Once these three elements are proved to be present, the
enquiry proceeded further, and fourthly it must be proved that the injury of
the type just described made up the three elements set out above was sufficient
to cause death in the ordinary course of nature. This part of the enquiry is
purely objective and inferential and has nothing to do with the intention of H
346 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 6 S.C.R.

A the offender.
The ingredients of clause '"Thirdly" of Section 300 IPC were brought
out by the illustrious Judge in his terse language as follows:

•· 12. To put it shortly, the prosecution must prove the following facts
B before it can bring a case under Section 300, "thirdly".

First. it must establish, quite objectively. that a bodily injury is
present;

Secondly, the nature of the injury must be proved; These are
C purely objective investigations.

Thirdly, it must be proved that there was an intention to inflict
that particular bodily injury, that is to say, that it was not accidental
or unintentional, or that some other kind of injury was intended.

Once these three elements are proved to be present, the enquiry
D proceeds further and,

Fourthly, it must be proved that the injury of the type just described
made up of the three elements set out above is sufficient to cause
death in the ordinary course of nature. This part of the enquiry is
purely objective and inferential and has nothing to do with the intention
E of the offender."

The leamed Judge explained the third ingredient in the following words
(at page 468):

"The question is not whether the prisoner intended to inflict a serious
F injury or a trivial one but whether he intended to inflict the injury that
is proved to be present. If he can show that he did not, or if the
totality of the circumstances justify such an inference, then, of course,
the intent that the section requires is not proved. But ifthere is nothing
beyond the injury and the fact that the appellant inflicted it, the only
G possible inference is that he intended to inflict it. Whether he knew
of its seriousness, or intended serious consequences, is neither here
nor there. The question, so far as the intention is concerned, is not
whether he intended to kill, or to inflict an injury of a particular
degree of seriousness but whether he intended to inflict the injury in
question; and once the existence of the injury is proved the intention
H to cause it will be presumed unless the evidence or the circumstances
LAXMAN l'. STATE OF M.P. [PASAYAT.J.) 347
warrant an opposite conclusion." A
These observations of Vivian Bose, J. have come locus c/assicus. The
test faid down by Virsa Singh 's case (supra) for the applicability of clause
·'Thirdly" is now ingrained in our legal system and has become part of the
-· rule of Jaw. Under clause thirdly of Section 300 IPC, culpable homicide is
murder, if both the following conditions are satisfied: i.e. (a) that the act B
which causes death is done with the intention of causing death or is done
with the intention of causing a bodily injury; and (b) that the injury intended
to be inflicted is sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause death.
It must be proved that there was an intention to inflict that particular bodily
injury, which in the ordinary course of nature, was sufficient to cause death, C
viz., that the injury found to be present the injury that was intended to be
inflicted.

Thus, according to the rule laid down in Virsa Singh 's case, even if the
intention of accused was limited to the infliction of a bodily injury sufficient
to cause death in the ordinary course of nature, and did not extend to the D
intention of causing death, the offence would be murder. Illustration (c)
appended to Section 300 IPC clearly brings out this point.

Clauses (c) and Clause (4) of Section 300 IPC both require knowledge
of the probability of the act causing death. It is not necessary for the purpose ·
of this case to dilate much on the distinction between these corresponding E
clauses. It will be sufficient to say that clause (4) of Section 300 IPC would
be. applicable where the knowledge of the offender as to the probability of
death of a person or persons in general as distinguished from a particular
person or persons - being caused from his imminently dangerous act
approximates to a practical certainty. Such knowledge on the part of the F
offender must be of the highest degree of probability, the act having been
committed by the offender without any excuse for incurring the risk of causing
death or such injury as aforesaid.

The above are only broad guidelines and not cast iron imperatives. In
most cases, their observance will facilitate the task of the Court. But sometimes G
the facts are so intertwined and the second and the third stages so telescoped
into each other, that it may not be convenient to give a separate treatment to
the matters involved in the second and third stages.

The position was highlighted by this Court in State of Andhra Pradesh H
v. Rayavarap11 Punna)-J'a ana Anr., (1976] 4 sec 382 and recently in Abdul
348 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2006] SUPP. 6 S.C.R.

A Waheed Khan ft£ Waheed and Ors. v. State of Andhra Pradesh, (2002] 7
SCC 175 and in Thangaiya v. State of Tamil Nadu, [2005] 9 SCC 650.

The fact situation shows that arrows were being shot from a distance,

B
not with any accuracy. One of such arrows hit the deceased. As established
by the evidence of eye-witnesses the appellant had shot that arrow. There
was no sudden quarrel as stated by the appellant. The evidence shows
-
otherwise.

Considering the background facts as noted above, appellant has to be
convicted in terms of Section 304 Part I !PC and not in terms of Section 302
C IPC. The conviction is accordingly altered. Custodial sentence of 10 years
would meet the ends of justice.

The appeal is allowed to the aforesaid extent.

v.s.s. Appeal allowed.