Mannu Lal Mahto & Anr vs State Of Bihar

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of the appellants under Section 96 IPC, rejecting their claim of private defense, as they fired into a crowd while unlawfully constructing a house on public property. The Court noted that the evidence from five injured witnesses contradicted the appellants' defense. However, considering the long duration since the incident and the nature of injuries caused, the Court modified the sentences, reducing Mannu Lal Mahto's sentence from seven to four years and Panna Devi's from seven to two years.