Because the switch statement is not multiple conditions with a funny syntax, it is a computed goto with funny labels. Those labels are permitted to be anywhere

Because the switch statement is not multiple conditions with a funny syntax, it is a computed goto with funny labels. Those labels are permitted to be anywhere at all inside its associated statement, including perverse things like switch (x) default: { if (y) case 1: case 2: return; /* more stuff with more labels */ }