VADIVELU THEVAR vs THE STATE OF MADRAS(with connected appeal)

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of the appellants for murder under Section 302 IPC based on the testimony of a single witness, stating that corroboration is not a statutory requirement unless the nature of the testimony necessitates it. The Court emphasized that the decision to convict should consider the facts and circumstances of the case, and the imposition of the death penalty should be based on extenuating circumstances rather than the quantity of evidence. The first appellant's death sentence was confirmed, while the second appellant's conviction was modified to a lesser charge under Section 326 IPC with a reduced sentence of five years imprisonment.