Bhagat Singh was murdered.
A murder is the unlawful killing of another human without justification or valid excuse , especially the unlawful killing of another human being with malice aforethought .. human. human. justification. justification ( jurisprudence ). excuse. excuse ( legal ). malice aforethought. malice aforethought. This state of mind may , depending upon the jurisdiction , distinguish murder from other forms of unlawful homicide , such as manslaughter .. jurisdiction. jurisdiction ( area ). homicide. homicide. manslaughter. manslaughter. Manslaughter is a killing committed in the absence of malice , brought about by reasonable provocation , or diminished capacity .. provocation. Provocation ( legal ). diminished capacity. diminished capacity. Involuntary manslaughter , where it is recognized , is a killing that lacks all but the most attenuated guilty intent -LRB- mens rea -RRB- , recklessness .. manslaughter. manslaughter. mens rea. mens rea. Most societies consider murder to be a very serious crime , and thus believe that the person charged should receive harsh punishments for the purposes of retribution , deterrence , rehabilitation , or incapacitation .. retribution. Retributive justice. deterrence. Deterrence ( legal ). rehabilitation. Rehabilitation ( penology ). incapacitation. Crime prevention. In most countries , a person convicted of murder generally faces a long-term prison sentence , possibly a life sentence where permitted .. life sentence. life imprisonment. In many common law jurisdictions , a person convicted of murder will receive a mandatory life sentence .. life sentence. life imprisonment. In jurisdictions where capital punishment exists , the death penalty may be imposed for such an act ; however , this practice is now less common .. death penalty. death penalty