Question

The distinction between Sections 299 and 300 was made clear by Melvill J. in:

• A. Reg Vs Guruchand Gope
• B. Reg Vs Govinda
• C. Reg Vs Hayward
• D. Govind Vs Reg

Hint:

Always remember: Culpable homicide is the broader category; murder is only one form of it.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Background.
Section 299 IPC defines culpable homicide, and Section 300 defines murder. The distinction between the two was clarified in the case of Reg v. Govinda (1876) by Justice Melvill.

Step 2: Key observation.
In this case, the court explained that culpable homicide is the genus, and murder is its species. Every murder is culpable homicide, but not every culpable homicide is murder.

Step 3: Analysis of options.
- (A) Wrong: Guruchand Gope is not related to this distinction.
- (B) Correct: Reg v. Govinda is the landmark case clarifying Sections 299 and 300.
- (C) Wrong: Reg v. Hayward deals with other issues.
- (D) Wrong: No such reported case as "Govind v. Reg."

Step 4: Conclusion.
The case of Reg v. Govinda is the authority on the distinction between culpable homicide and murder.