KARNESH KUMAR SINGH & ORS. vs THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH

The Supreme Court upheld the convictions of the ten appellants under Sections 302 and 201 read with Section 149 of the IPC, confirming the findings of the trial court and High Court regarding their responsibility for the murders. However, the Court found that the distinction made by the trial court in sentencing four appellants to death based on their being armed with dangerous weapons was unsustainable, as others were similarly armed. Consequently, the death sentences were set aside and replaced with life imprisonment for all appellants.