DARSHAN SINGH vs STATE OF PUNJAB

The Supreme Court upheld the Punjab & Haryana High Court's decision to set aside the acquittal of Darshan Singh and Bakhtawar Singh under Section 302 IPC, establishing that the use of a licensed firearm in a family dispute constituted murder. The Court emphasized that the presence of prior provocation does not absolve the accused of liability when the act is premeditated. The appeal was allowed, and the accused were convicted, reinforcing the principle that familial ties do not mitigate culpability in violent crimes.