BACHAN SINGH ETC. ETC. vs STATE OF PUNJAB ETC. ETC.

The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 354(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, affirming that the right to life is not an absolute right under Article 19(1) of the Constitution. The Court clarified that not all murders disturb 'public order' and that certain offences may only affect 'law and order', thus not violating Article 19. The judgment established that the imposition of the death penalty is permissible within a narrow category of cases, ensuring that sentencing procedures do not allow for arbitrary imposition of capital punishment.