Video article: The legacy of Basdev vs State of PEPSU is clear and enduring: voluntary intoxication is not an excuse.

 

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"I Was Drunk": Why Basdev vs The State Of Pepsu AIR 1956 SUPREME COURT 488 Means that This Defense Almost Never Works in India

 

Introduction: A Party, a Pistol, and a Landmark Judgment

Imagine a wedding celebration—the sounds of celebratory drums and loud music, dancing, and plentiful alcohol. Suddenly, a minor argument shatters the festive mood. A gunshot rings out, and in an instant, celebration turns into mourning. This tragic scene raises a difficult question: What happens when a serious crime is committed by someone so intoxicated they might not even be aware of their actions? Does the law see it as a tragic mistake or a calculated crime?

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