Supreme Court of India

K M Nanavati v State of Maharashtra

AIR 1962 SC 60519621 min read
The case in brief30-second read
Facts
Commander Nanavati learned from his wife of her affair with Ahuja. He took his revolver from the ship and shot Ahuja dead about three hours later.
Issue
Whether the killing fell under Exception 1 to S.300 IPC (grave and sudden provocation).
Held
The test is whether a reasonable person of the same class, in the accused's situation, would lose self-control. Nanavati had time to cool down and plan, so the provocation was not grave and sudden. His murder conviction was upheld.
Principle
Exception 1 does not apply where there is time for passion to cool before the killing.
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Facts

  • Commander Nanavati learned from his wife of her affair with Ahuja. He took his revolver from the ship and shot Ahuja dead about three hours later.

Issue

  1. Whether the killing fell under Exception 1 to S.300 IPC (grave and sudden provocation).

Held

  • The test is whether a reasonable person of the same class, in the accused's situation, would lose self-control. Nanavati had time to cool down and plan, so the provocation was not grave and sudden. His murder conviction was upheld.

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Citation

K M Nanavati v State of Maharashtra AIR 1962 SC 605

Reported: https://api.sci.gov.in/jonew/judis/4062.pdf. This is an educational summary, not the judgment itself. Cite the reported version in professional or academic work.