Home » Blog » State of Rajasthan vs. Kanhaiya Lal

State of Rajasthan vs. Kanhaiya Lal

By /

Authored By: Tapur

Usha Martin University, Ranchi, Jharkhand

  1. Case Title & Citation
  • Name of the case  

State of Rajasthan vs. Kanhaiya Lal (2019). 

  • Official citation  

(2019) 5 SCC 639. Criminal Appeal No. 645 of 2019 (arising out of SLP (Crl.) No. 626 of  2015).1 

  1. Court Name & Bench 
  • Name of the court  

Supreme Court of India (Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction). 

  • Name of the judges  

Justice L. Nageswara Rao and Justice M. R. Shah. 

  • Bench type  

Division Bench2 

  1. Date of Judgment

10 April 20193 

  1. Parties Involved
  • Appellant/Petitioner: 

State of Rajasthan:  

The prosecution authority appealed to the Supreme Court the Rajasthan High Court’s decision  to change the accused’s conviction from murder under Section 302 IPC to culpable homicide  not amounting to murder under Section 304 Part I IPC.4 

  • Respondent/Defendant: 

Kanhaiya Lal: 

The accused, who was initially found guilty by the Sessions Court of murder under Section 302  IPC for killing the deceased with an axe blow. The State filed this appeal after the Rajasthan  High Court changed the conviction to Section 304 Part I IPC.5 

  1. Facts of the Case
  • Background 

On January 26, 2008, the deceased was severely injured in the head by an axe attack by  the accused Kanhaiya Lal. The accused and the deceased had previously argued before  the assault.6 

The deceased suffered a fatal injury to the head, a vital part of the body, which was  sufficient to cause death in the normal course of events.7 

  • Investigation and Trial 

Following an investigation and the filing of a formal complaint, Kanhaiya Lal was  charged with murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).8 The accused was found guilty under Section 302 IPC by the Sessions Court and given  a life sentence and a fine.9 

  • Appeal Proceedings 

In response to an appeal, the Rajasthan High Court changed the conviction from Section  302 IPC to Section 304 Part I IPC, ruling that the crime was culpable homicide rather  than murder and lowering the sentence.10 

The current case began when the State of Rajasthan filed an appeal with the Supreme  Court of India, claiming it was wronged by the conviction and sentence reduction.11 

  1. Issues Raised
  • Whether the conviction under Section 302 IPC (murder) should have been changed to  Section 304 Part I IPC (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) by the Rajasthan  High Court.12
  • Whether a single blow to a vital part of the body with a deadly weapon can be  considered murder under Section 302 IPC.13
  • Whether the case’s facts established the intention and knowledge required by Section  300 IPC.14
  1. Arguments of the Parties 
  • Arguments of the Petitioner / Appellant (State of Rajasthan) 

The State claimed that it was erroneous on the part of the Rajasthan High Court  to reduce the conviction from murder (Section 302 IPC) to culpable homicide  not amounting to murder (Section 304 Part I IPC) merely because of a single  injury.15 

It was also submitted that the accused used an axe, which was a deadly weapon,  and attacked the deceased on the head, which is a very vital part of the body.  

Therefore, the offence was murder under Section 300 IPC, as it was punishable  under Section 302 IPC.16 

The medical evidence availed by the State was sufficient, since it showed that  the injury was capable of causing death in the ordinary course of nature, thus  meeting the legal requirements of murder, according to Section 300, “Thirdly”  IPC.17 

It was also submitted that, according to authoritative precedents, a mere blow  can qualify as murder where there is an intention/knowledge to cause death,  regardless of the number of injuries.18 

The prosecution argued that the High Court erred in failing to assess the  intention and gravity of the act in reducing the sentence19. 

  • Arguments of the Respondent / Defendant (Kanhaiya Lal) 

The accused pleaded that there was no intention to kill; the occurrence took  place in view of a sudden quarrel arising out of a pre-existing dispute and  without premeditation.20 

It was contended that the accused caused only one injury and did not repeat the  attack, which showed that the offence was not murder but culpable homicide  not amounting to murder under Section 304 Part I IPC.21 

The respondent, thus, while supporting the judgment of the High Court of  Rajasthan, contends that the High Court has rightly taken into consideration the  facts and circumstances of the case while modifying the conviction. 

It was also contended that the lesser sentence given by the High Court was  adequate and did not call for any interference by the Supreme Court.22 

  1. Judgment 
  • The appeal was accepted by the Supreme Court, filed by the State of Rajasthan. • The Rajasthan High Court judgment that reduced the conviction from Section 302 IPC  to Section 304 Part I IPC was overturned. 
  • The decision of the Sessions Court sentencing the accused under Section 302 IPC was  affirmed. 
  • The Court held that one injury is not determinative of the issue of whether the offence  is murder or not. 
  • The offender employed an axe (a deadly weapon), which was used to attack the head  (a crucial part of the body), indicating clear intention and knowledge. 
  • Medical evidence showed that this injury was sufficient in the ordinary course of nature  to cause death, as stated in “Thirdly” of Sec 300 IPC. 
  • The Court reiterated that a single hit may also be murder in the case of intent or  knowledge to cause death. 
  • The sentence of life imprisonment, along with a fine, imposed under Section 302 IPC, was maintained.23
  1. Legal Reasoning 
  • The Supreme Court held that the number of injuries is not decisive in determining  murder; what matters is intention and knowledge. 
  • The accused used an axe, which was a deadly weapon, and the accused struck on the  head, which is a vital part of the body.24
  • Medical evidence proved that the injury was sufficient in the ordinary course of nature  to cause death. 
  • Therefore, this default fell within the purview of Section 300, “Thirdly” IPC, which is  nothing but murder punishable under Section 302 IPC.25
  • The Court has thus reaffirmed the settled law that even a single blow can amount to  murder if the intention or knowledge to cause death is there. 
  • The Rajasthan High Court reduced the offence only for the reason that there was one  injury. 
  • The Supreme Court reinstated the conviction under Section 302 IPC and observed that  the High Court had not given sufficient consideration to the gravity of the act.26
  1. Conclusion 
  • The Supreme Court has held that the number of injuries is not a determinative factor in  murder cases. 
  • “What matters is the intent or knowledge of the accused, the weapon, and the affected  body part.” 
  • In this case, the fact that the fight was conducted using an axe and the head injury  evidenced the motive of causing death. 
  • The medical evidence was that the injury was sufficient in kind to cause death in the  normal course of nature. 
  • The Court observed that the Rajasthan High Court erred in reducing the conviction  solely on the ground that there was only one injury. 
  • It reiterated the legal tenet that a single blow could constitute murder. • The conviction under Section 302 IPC is, therefore, rightly maintained. • This decision enhances consistency and clarity in criminal law on serious offences.27
  1. Reference(S)
  1. State of Rajasthan v. Kanhaiya Lal, Crim. App. No. 645 of 2019, (2019) 5 S.C.C. 639  (India), <https://indiankanoon.org/doc/6958949/.> accessed December 26, 2025 
  2. The State of Rajasthan v. Kanhaiya Lal, Crim. App. No. 645 of 2019 (Sup. Ct. of  India Apr. 10, 2019), available at <https://vlex.in/vid/crl-no-000645-000645- 794106025.> accessed December 26, 2025 
  3. Kanhaiya Lal v. State of Rajasthan: Reaffirming the “Rarest of Rare” Doctrine and  Appellate Scrutiny, CaseMine (Apr. 23, 2013), available at  <https://www.casemine.com/commentary/in/kanhaiya-lal-v.-state-of-rajasthan:- reaffirming-the-‘rarest-of-rare’-doctrine-and-appellate-scrutiny/view.> accessed  December 26, 2025 
  4. Kanhaiyalal v. The State of Rajasthan, AIR 1958 Raj 1 (Rajasthan High Court  Apr. 16, 1957), available at <https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1401452/.> accessed  December 26, 2025 
  5. Kanhaiya Lal v. State of Rajasthan, (Supreme Court of India Mar. 13, 2014), available  at <https://www.casemine.com/judgement/in/5609af57e4b01497114161ac.> accessed  December 27, 2025 
  6. Kanhaiya Lal & Ors. v. State of Rajasthan, Criminal Appeal No. 411 of 1998,  (Rajasthan High Court, Jaipur Bench May 19, 2005), 05 RAJ CK 0071, (2005) 3  RLW 1797, available at  <https://www.courtkutchehry.com/judgements/214515/kanhaiya-lal-and-others-vs state-of-rajasthan/.> accessed December 27, 2025 
  7. Kanhaiya Lal v. State of Rajasthan, Crl. A. No. 595 of 2014 (Supreme Court of India  Mar. 13, 2014), available at <https://lawlens.in/doc/47f99160-3ed7-41ad-8a41- d72ecc37ed2a.> accessed December 27, 2025 
  8. Kanhaiya Lal & Ors. v. State of Rajasthan, Crl. A. No. 1108 of 2006 (Sup. Ct. of India  Apr. 22, 2013), <https://spotlawapp.com/judgementText/pdf/910012013/9100120130422006.pdf.>  accessed December 27, 2025 
  9. Kanhaiya Lal v. State of Rajasthan: Reaffirming the “Rarest of Rare” Doctrine and  Appellate Scrutiny, CaseMine (Apr. 23, 2013), available at  <https://www.casemine.com/commentary/in/kanhaiya-lal-v.-state-of-rajasthan:- reaffirming-the-‘rarest-of-rare’-doctrine-and-appellate-scrutiny/view.> accessed  December 28, 2025 
  10. Kanhaiyalal v. The State of Rajasthan, AIR 1958 Raj 1 (Rajasthan High Court Apr.  16, 1957), available at <https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1401452/.> accessed December  28, 2025
  11. Kanhaiya Lal v. State of Rajasthan & Ors., S.B. Criminal Revision Petition No.  1438/2024 (Rajasthan High Court, Jodhpur Bench Mar. 18, 2025), available at  <https://www.legitquest.com/case/kanhaiya-lal-v-state-of-rajasthan-and ors/A4EF8A.> accessed December 29, 2025 
  12. Kanhaiya Lal & Ors. v. State of Rajasthan, Criminal Appeal No. 411 of 1998  (Rajasthan High Court, Jaipur Bench May 19, 2005) (05 RAJ CK 0071;  (2005) 3 RLW 1797), available at  <https:rtkutchehry.com/judgements/214515/kanhaiya-lal-and-others-vs-state-of rajasthan/.> accessed December 29, 2025

1 State of Rajasthan v. Kanhaiya Lal, Crim. App. No. 645 of 2019, (2019) 5 S.C.C. 639 (India),  https://indiankanoon.org/doc/6958949/. 

2 The State of Rajasthan v. Kanhaiya Lal, Crim. App. No. 645 of 2019 (Sup. Ct. of India Apr. 10, 2019),  available at https://vlex.in/vid/crl-no-000645-000645-794106025. 

3 The State of Rajasthan v. Kanhaiya Lal, Criminal Appeal No. 645 of 2019 (Supreme Court of India Apr. 10,  2019), available at https://api.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2015/530/530_2015_Judgement_10-Apr-2019.pdf. 

4 Kanhaiya Lal v. State of Rajasthan: Reaffirming the “Rarest of Rare” Doctrine and Appellate Scrutiny,  CaseMine (Apr. 23, 2013), available at https://www.casemine.com/commentary/in/kanhaiya-lal-v.-state-of rajasthan:-reaffirming-the-‘rarest-of-rare’-doctrine-and-appellate-scrutiny/view. 

5 Kanhaiyalal v. The State of Rajasthan, AIR 1958 Raj 1 (Rajasthan High Court Apr. 16, 1957), available at  https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1401452/. 

6 Kanhaiya Lal v. State of Rajasthan, (Supreme Court of India Mar. 13, 2014), available at  https://www.casemine.com/judgement/in/5609af57e4b01497114161ac.. 

7 State of Rajasthan v. Kanhaiya Lal, Criminal Appeal No. 645 of 2019 (Sup. Ct. of India Apr. 10, 2019),  available at https://www.advocatekhoj.com/library/judgments/announcement.php?WID=11439.

8 Rep. 

9 Rep. 

10 Kanhaiya Lal & Ors. v. State of Rajasthan, Criminal Appeal No. 411 of 1998, (Rajasthan High Court, Jaipur  Bench May 19, 2005), 05 RAJ CK 0071, (2005) 3 RLW 1797, available at  https://www.courtkutchehry.com/judgements/214515/kanhaiya-lal-and-others-vs-state-of-rajasthan/.

11 The State of Rajasthan v. Kanhaiya Lal, Criminal Appeal No. 645 of 2019 (Sup. Ct. of India Apr. 10, 2019)  (AIR 2019 Supreme Court 2633; (2019) 5 SCC 639), available at https://indiankanoon.org/doc/6958949/.

12 The State of Rajasthan v. Kanhaiya Lal, Crl. A. No. 645 of 2019 (Sup. Ct. of India Apr. 10, 2019) (AIR 2019  Supreme Court 2633; (2019) 5 SCC 639), available at  https://api.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2015/530/530_2015_Judgement_10-Apr-2019.pdf.

13 Kanhaiya Lal v. State of Rajasthan, Crl. A. No. 595 of 2014 (Supreme Court of India Mar. 13, 2014),  available at https://lawlens.in/doc/47f99160-3ed7-41ad-8a41-d72ecc37ed2a. 

14 Rep. 

15 Kanhaiya Lal v. State of Rajasthan, Crl. A. No. 595 of 2014 (Supreme Court of India, Mar. 13, 2014),  available at https://www.indianbarassociation.org/kanhaiya-lal-v-state-of-rajasthan/.

16 The State of Rajasthan v. Kanhaiya Lal, Crl. A. No. 645 of 2019 (Sup. Ct. of India Apr. 10, 2019) (AIR 2019  Supreme Court 2633; (2019) 5 SCC 639), available at  https://api.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2015/530/530_2015_Judgement_10-Apr-2019.pdf.

17 Kanhaiya Lal & Ors. v. State of Rajasthan, Crl. A. No. 1108 of 2006 (Sup. Ct. of India Apr. 22, 2013),  available at https://spotlawapp.com/judgementText/pdf/910012013/9100120130422006.pdf.

18 Kanhaiya Lal v. State of Rajasthan, Crl. A. No. 595 of 2014 (Sup. Ct. of India Mar. 13, 2014) (2014 (4) SCC  715; 2014 AIR SCW 1828), available at https://lawlens.in/doc/47f99160-3ed7-41ad-8a41-d72ecc37ed2a.

19 Kanhaiya Lal v. State of Rajasthan: Reaffirming the “Rarest of Rare” Doctrine and Appellate Scrutiny,  CaseMine (Apr. 23, 2013), available at https://www.casemine.com/commentary/in/kanhaiya-lal-v.-state-of rajasthan:-reaffirming-the-‘rarest-of-rare’-doctrine-and-appellate-scrutiny/view. 

20 Kanhaiyalal v. The State of Rajasthan, AIR 1958 Raj 1 (Rajasthan High Court Apr. 16, 1957), available at  https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1401452/. 

21 Kanhaiya Lal v. State of Rajasthan & Ors., S.B. Criminal Revision Petition No. 1438/2024 (Rajasthan High  Court, Jodhpur Bench Mar. 18, 2025), available at https://www.legitquest.com/case/kanhaiya-lal-v-state-of rajasthan-and-ors/A4EF8A.

22 Kanhaiya Lal & Ors. v. State of Rajasthan, Criminal Appeal No. 411 of 1998 (Rajasthan High Court, Jaipur  Bench May 19, 2005) (05 RAJ CK 0071; (2005) 3 RLW 1797), available at  https://www.courtkutchehry.com/judgements/214515/kanhaiya-lal-and-others-vs-state-of-rajasthan/.

23 The State of Rajasthan v. Kanhaiya Lal, Crl. A. No. 645 of 2019 (Sup. Ct. of India Apr. 10, 2019) (AIR 2019  Supreme Court 2633; (2019) 5 SCC 639), available at  https://api.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2015/530/530_2015_Judgement_10-Apr-2019.pdf. 

24 Rep. 

25 State of Rajasthan v. Kanhaiya Lal, Crl. A. No. 645 of 2019 (Sup. Ct. of India Apr. 10, 2019)  (AIR 2019 Supreme Court 2633; (2019) 5 SCC 639), available at  https://www.advocatekhoj.com/library/judgments/announcement.php?WID=11439. 

26 The State of Rajasthan v. Kanhaiya Lal, Crl. A. No. 645 of 2019 (Sup. Ct. of India Apr. 10, 2019) (AIR 2019  Supreme Court 2633; (2019) 5 SCC 639), available at  https://api.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2015/530/530_2015_Judgement_10-Apr-2019.pdf. 

27 Rep. 

Related Posts

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top