Private Defence Must Be Strictly Preventive, Not Punitive Or Retributive In Nature: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court clarified the use of excessive force in self-defense under Section 100 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The case involved a situation where the accused used disproportionate force while defending themselves, leading to a fatality. The Court ruled that while self-defense is a legitimate right, it must be exercised with restraint. Excessive force, even in the face of imminent danger, is not justified under the law. The judgment aimed at clarifying the limits of self-defense and the application of reasonable force. It emphasized the balance between individual rights to protect oneself and the need to prevent unnecessary harm.