K. M. NANAVATI vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

The Supreme Court examined the validity of a jury's 'not guilty' verdict in the context of a murder trial under Section 302 IPC. The Court held that the High Court, upon reference under Section 307 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, could review the evidence and determine the jury's verdict as perverse if no reasonable body of men could arrive at such a conclusion. The Court ultimately upheld the High Court's decision to convict the appellant, Nanavati, for murder, sentencing him to rigorous imprisonment for life.