MURALIDHAR @ GIDDA vs STATE OF KARNATAKA

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of the appellants under Section 302 read with Section 149 IPC and Section 148 IPC, affirming the Karnataka High Court's judgment which reversed the trial court's acquittal. The Court emphasized the significance of the dying declaration (Ex.P-22) as the primary evidence after the eye-witnesses turned hostile. The Court held that the dying declaration was credible and corroborated by the circumstances of the case, leading to the conclusion that the appellants were guilty of murder and rioting.