The court observed that, during the process of performing dacoity, if a dacoit murders a person, all the co-dacoits will also be held liable under section 396 IPC, even if they did not participate in the killing, and were only a part of the dacoity. Both 302 and 396 IPC have the same obligations for imposing a death penalty or imprisonment for life. Although the offence under Section 396 IPC is to be treated seriously, the court has more discretion when it comes to the potential for imposing a punishment other than death penalty or imprisonment for life when the criminal under Section 396 IPC is found guilty.
