MOORTHY vs STATE OF TAMIL NADU

The Supreme Court held that the death penalty imposed under Section 302 IPC for the double murder of an elderly woman and her son was excessive given the mitigating circumstances. The appellant, agitated by a spurned relationship and influenced by violent films, was found to have acted in a moment of mental disturbance. The Court converted the death sentence to life imprisonment, emphasizing the societal responsibility in cases of violent behavior influenced by media.