New Delhi, Mar 12 The Supreme Court on Thursday absolved two men accused of murdering a man thirty years ago.

Dismissing an appeal filed by the Uttar Pradesh Government against the acquittal of Gajey Singh and Rajpal Singh in a murder case that occurred on January 27, 1979 in Meerut, the apex court argued that the murder was committed in self-defense, which is permitted under the law.

The apex court held that a person can kill another when there exists reasonable apprehension that his adversary is going to cause him/her grievous injury even though he might not have actually inflicted any.

A bench, including Justice Dalveer Bhandari and H S Bedi said, "In that event he can go to the extent of causing the latter's death in the exercise of the right of private defense."

In this case, Lakhi Ram, the murdered, along with a few companions had assaulted Gajey and Rajpal with sharp weapons at their residence.

In a bid to save his life, Rajpal fired a shot at Ram, resulting in his death. (ANI)