STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH vs SHRI MANOHAR SINGH THAKUR

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of Manohar Singh under Sections 302, 307, and 394 read with Section 397 IPC, affirming the death penalty for the brutal murder of Kula Datt and the attempted murder of Mathru Devi. The Court found that the High Court erred in granting the benefit of doubt, emphasizing that the crime was committed with premeditation and greed. The judgment reinforced the principle that heinous crimes warrant the maximum penalty, particularly in cases involving vulnerable victims.