Supreme Court: No Exemption from Life Imprisonment Based on Health or Age, Knowledge of Fatal Work is Sufficient

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Supreme Court has ruled that even if the intent to kill is not explicitly proven, the mere awareness of the fatal consequences of one's actions is enough to hold the accused guilty. The court also emphasized that when the minimum sentence is life imprisonment, reductions based on equality, leniency, age, or health concerns cannot be considered.

This ruling came as the court upheld the conviction and life sentence of a supporter of the United Democratic Front (UDF) for the 2006 murder of a Left Democratic Front (LDF) worker. The bench, consisting of Justices Vikram Nath and Prasanna B. Varale, rejected the convict's plea that he had no intent to kill and that the incident was a result of personal defense, occurring in the heat of a scuffle. The court clarified that causing an injury likely to result in death qualifies as intent to murder.

The case revolves around the murder of Subramanian, a member of the LDF, in 2006. The incident was linked to political rivalry between the UDF and LDF over a dispute regarding election symbols. The accused, Kunhimuhammed (alias Kunhithu), was involved in an altercation where the victim initially defended himself but was eventually fatally stabbed after a brief struggle. The Supreme Court upheld the conviction confirmed by the Kerala High Court in 2018, rejecting the defense's argument that the crime was not premeditated.

The court also stressed that the nature and location of the injuries, the weapon used, and the actions of the accused during the incident clearly indicated intent. The verdict underlines the principle that a deliberate criminal act must be carried out with an understanding of its potential fatal consequences. The Supreme Court further pointed out that crimes rooted in political rivalry often lead to broader social unrest and undermine the public's confidence in the rule of law. As such, the court emphasized the importance of reinforcing accountability to prevent the recurrence of such violent incidents.