MANGOO @ MANGAL SINGH vs STATE OF M.P.

The Supreme Court addressed the applicability of Exception 4 to Section 300 IPC in the context of a criminal appeal where the appellant did not file a Special Leave Petition. The Court held that despite the appellant's failure to file on time, he was entitled to the benefit of a prior judgment that altered the conviction to Section 304 Part I IPC, emphasizing the need for justice over procedural technicalities. The Court's decision was influenced by precedents that extended benefits to similarly situated accused, ultimately allowing the appeal and modifying the sentence.