Supreme Court criticizes Chhattisgarh High Court over legal errors

The Supreme Court of India has issued a sharp rebuke of the Chhattisgarh High Court, describing its functioning as “pitiful” following a controversial ruling in a murder case. A bench led by Justice J.B. Pardiwala observed that the High Court judges appeared to lack fundamental legal knowledge, specifically regarding the distinction between Section 304 Part I and Part II of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The dispute arose when the High Court partially granted an appeal by a convict, reducing a sentence from Section 302 (murder) to Section 304 Part II (culpable homicide not amounting to murder). The Supreme Court noted that the High Court failed to properly consider the nature of the injuries, the weapons used, and the circumstances of the incident. The top court remarked that these legal principles are typically taught in the first year of law school.

The Supreme Court has issued notices to both the petitioner and the Chhattisgarh state government. The court is currently considering whether to quash the High Court’s order and reinstate the original conviction and life sentence handed down by the Additional Sessions Court in Saraipali.