YANKAPPA vs STATE OF KARNATAKA

The Supreme Court upheld the Karnataka High Court's decision to convict accused A2 to A8 under Section 302 read with Section 149 IPC, sentencing them to life imprisonment, while dismissing the appeal of A1 who was convicted under Section 302 IPC. The Court clarified that the trial court's acquittal of accused A7 to A15 was upheld. The judgment emphasized the necessity of establishing a common intention among the accused for a conviction under Section 149 IPC, affirming the legal principle that all members of an unlawful assembly can be held liable for the actions of one if they share a common objective.