The Court underscored Article 20(1) of the Constitution, holding that an accused cannot be convicted under a penal provision absent on the statute book when the alleged act occurred.

The conviction under Section 195-A IPC was set aside, reflecting the constitutional safeguard against retrospective criminal laws, but the sentence under Section 506-B IPC was rigorously maintained due to robust evidence.

Statutes Involved:

1.⁠ ⁠Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC): Section 305, Section 506-B, Section 195-A

2.⁠ ⁠Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Cr.PC): Section 374(2), Section 394

3.⁠ ⁠Constitution of India: Article 20, Clause (1)