Chirangi v. the State of M.P., (1952) 53 CrLJ 1212 (M.P.)

In the matter of Chirangi, a rural widower, the issue centered on whether his mistaken belief in a tiger attack, leading to the accidental killing of his son, absolved him of criminal liability due to the absence of mens rea.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court acquitted Chirangi, distinguishing between mistake of fact and mistake of law. Chirangi's genuine belief in the tiger threat negated mens rea, as per Section 76 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, which states that an act done by a person who is mistaken of a fact which, if true, would make such act lawful, is not a crime.

Chirangi's subjective lack of criminal intent, stemming from his mistaken belief, resulted in his acquittal despite the harmful outcome of his actions.