Principle: Killing is not murder if it is committed in a sudden fight without pre-meditation in a heat of passion upon a sudden quarrel.
Facts: X and Y were buying liquor from a liquor shop at 7 pm. Y abused X and there was the quarrel between them. X told Y that he will not spare him and Y shouted that his house is adjoining the shop only and if X had the guts, he can come anytime. X went back to his shop which was nearby, procured a knife and went to Y‘s residence at 9 pm and stabbed him to death.
Options
X has committed murder
X has not committed an offence of murder since it was committed in a sudden fight in a heat of passion
X has not committed the murder of Y because he had no enimity with Y
X has committed no offence
Solution
X has committed murder
Explanation:
X has committed murder. According to the principle, killing is not murder if it occurs in a heat of passion and is not pre-meditated. In this case, the killing is not under the heat of passion. There is a time difference of 2 hours between the quarrel and the killing. Moreover, it is pre-meditated because X procures a knife from somewhere and goes to the house of the victim with the clear intent of killing him.
