The facts of the case pertain to the killing of Gurdev Singh, a Granthi (Sikh spiritual leader) of Gurudwara Talwandi Fattu, Punjab. The appellants Narinder Singh and Ravinder Singh alias ... Khanna purportedly asked Gurdev Singh to relinquish his post. On his refusal, they killed him on November 6, 1989. The trial court discharged the accused, but the Punjab and Haryana High Court set aside the discharge, holding them guilty under Section 302/34 IPC. The appellants appealed this ruling to the Supreme Court.