(1.) THIS is an appeal by Chhallu against his conviction and sentence under Section 304A, I P.C.. He has been sentenced to six months rigorous imprisonment. A fight took place between the appellant and Raja Earn on one side and Shankar and Kala on the other. Girwar deceased came and intervened. The prosecution evidence shows that the appellant had a spear in his hand with which Girwar was stabbed, and he died after some time. It has been found by the learned Sessions Judge?and I think rightly ?that the appellant did not intend to strike Girwar and it was by accident that he was struck while he was intervening in separating the persons who were fighting with one another. The learned Sessions Judge has convicted the appellant under Section 304A, I.P.C. Section 304A must be read along with Secs.336, 337 and 338, I.P.C. All the sections are confined in their operation to acts done without any criminal intent, apart from the rashness or negligence which is their essential ingredient. In this case there can be no doubt that the appellant was using his spear against his assailants. Where a man strikes at another with a spear, he is committing a criminal offence independently altogether of any element of rashness which may be involved in his striking by chance another person who might come to intervene. Beading Section 321, I.P.C., with Section 322, I.P.C., it is obvious that the guilt of an accused person remains just the same whether in seeking to inflict simple hurt or grievous hurt, as the case may be, upon one person he actually causes the intended hurt to that person or to some other. The appellant must therefore be held guilty under the provisions of Section 326, I.P.C. His conviction under Section 304A is illegal. I therefore set aside his conviction under Section 304A, I.P.C., and in lieu thereof convict him under Section 326, I.P.C. The sentence of six months rigorous imprisonment in a case like this cannot be regarded as severe. It is therefore maintained.