Supreme Court delivers verdict converting murder charge to culpable homicide in Raghav Prashad case, 26 Sept 2025.
SC CONVERTS MURDER CONVICTION TO CULPABLE HOMICIDE IN RAGHAV PRASHAD CASE
CASE SUMMARY – The Supreme Court of India in the case Raghav Prashad & Others vs. State of Uttar Pradesh partly allowed the appeal of Raghav Prashad and others, who were convicted for murdering three relatives during a 1986 land-measurement dispute in Uttar Pradesh. Medical evidence and eyewitness testimony showed only blunt-force injuries despite sharp weapons being present. Finding no intention to kill but knowledge that the assault could cause death, the Court ruled that Section 302 IPC (murder) was not tenable. It substituted conviction under Section 304 Part I (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and held that the 12 years already served sufficed. The appellants were ordered released on 26 September 2025.
| ASPECTS | DETAILS |
| Case Title | Raghav Prashad & Others vs. State of Uttar Pradesh |
| Introduction | Supreme Court of India Criminal Appeal No.596 of 2014 decided on 26 Sept 2025 by CJI B.R. Gavai and J. K. Vinod Chandran. Appeal challenged Allahabad High Court judgment affirming 1989 murder convictions. |
| Factual Background | On 6 Aug 1986 a land-measurement dispute at Baruahaar Ghat led to a fight. Accused Raghav Prashad, Prem Shankar, Dayanidhi and Ram Naresh assaulted Ram Avtar, Namo Shankar and Girija Shankar, who later died. FIR registered; Trial Court convicted under Sec.302/34 IPC, sentenced to life. High Court upheld in 2013. |
| Legal Issues | Whether conviction for murder under Section 302 IPC was justified when evidence suggested lack of intent to kill; reliance on single related eyewitness (PW-1). |
| Applicable Law | |
| Analysis | Supreme Court held deaths were caused by appellants but weapons’ blunt side was used; medical evidence showed only lacerated wounds. No intention to kill though knowledge of likely death existed. |
| Conclusion | Conviction under Sec.302 IPC altered to Sec.304 Part I; sentence reduced to period already served (over 12 years); appellants ordered released if not required in other cases. |
| Current Scenario | As of Sept 26, 2025, appellants are to be released; conviction stands for culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Sec.304 Part I IPC. |
“The conviction under Section 302 IPC is converted to one under Section 304 Part I IPC.”
SOURCE – SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
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