Name of the Case : K. M. Nanavati vs. State of Maharashtra
Year of Judgement : 1961
Popular Name : -
Related Topic/ Issue : Jury System of trial
Related Article/ Schedule : -
Supreme Court Judgement:
- The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Bombay High Court.
- It affirmed the conviction of the accused, Nanavati, under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code.
- The sentence of life imprisonment imposed by the High Court was deemed appropriate.
- Nanavati was found guilty of the murder of his wife's paramour.
Impact of the Judgement:
- This landmark judgement highlighted the deficiencies in the jury system prevalent in India at that time.
- The case played a pivotal role in the abolition of the jury system.
- Despite the ruling, there were sporadic instances of jury trials in the country afterward.
- Subsequently, the enactment of the new Code of Criminal Procedure in 1973 completely eliminated the system of trial by jury in India.
- Nanavati, after serving three years in prison, was granted clemency by the Governor, marking the conclusion of the legal proceedings surrounding the case.
