Supreme Court of India

Kehar Singh v State (Delhi Administration)

1988 INSC 20319881 min read
The case in brief30-second read
Facts
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was shot dead by her security guards on 31 October 1984. Satwant Singh, Kehar Singh and Balbir Singh were tried for murder and conspiracy.
Issue
Whether the conspiracy was proved against each accused, and how the acts and statements of co-conspirators may be used.
Held
The convictions and death sentences of Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh were upheld; Balbir Singh was acquitted. Conspiracy may be inferred from circumstances and conduct, and under S.10 of the Evidence Act a co-conspirator's acts or statements can be used only after prima facie proof of the conspiracy.
Principle
Conspiracy is usually proved by inference from circumstances; S.10 evidence needs a prima facie case of conspiracy first.
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Facts

  • Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was shot dead by her security guards on 31 October 1984. Satwant Singh, Kehar Singh and Balbir Singh were tried for murder and conspiracy.

Issue

  1. Whether the conspiracy was proved against each accused, and how the acts and statements of co-conspirators may be used.

Held

  • The convictions and death sentences of Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh were upheld; Balbir Singh was acquitted. Conspiracy may be inferred from circumstances and conduct, and under S.10 of the Evidence Act a co-conspirator's acts or statements can be used only after prima facie proof of the conspiracy.

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Citation

Kehar Singh v State (Delhi Administration) 1988 INSC 203

Reported: https://api.sci.gov.in/jonew/judis/8264.pdf ; https://indiankanoon.org/doc/667073/. This is an educational summary, not the judgment itself. Cite the reported version in professional or academic work.