Supreme Court Acquits Mentally Ill Accused, Rules Lunatics Cannot Be Convicted

The Supreme Court acquitted a man charged with murder under Section 302 IPC because he was found mentally ill at the time of the crime.

The Court said that a mentally unsound person cannot be held responsible for a crime since they cannot defend themselves, protecting their right under Article 21.

The appellant proved unsoundness of mind beyond a reasonable doubt under Section 84 IPC and Section 105 of the Indian Evidence Act. 

Considering this, the Court gave the benefit of the doubt to the accused, overturning the previous conviction.