PRAMOD KUMAR MANTRI vs STATE OF ORISSA

The Supreme Court allowed the appeals of the appellants, setting aside their conviction under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC. The Court found that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the appellants shared a common intention to kill the deceased, as the evidence presented was inconsistent and lacked corroboration, particularly regarding the alleged dragging of the deceased. Consequently, the conviction and sentence under Section 304, Part II IPC were also overturned.