Legal provisions involved: Sections 143, 147, 120-B, 364, 302, 201, 506, 34, and 149 of the Indian Penal Code

Judgement by: Supreme Court of India

Judge/Bench: Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi

Facts

This was a 15-year-old murder and abduction case. Six people were accused. The Trial Court acquitted all because the evidence was weak. The Karnataka High Court later convicted four of them, claiming there was a conspiracy and relying on one eyewitness, while confirming acquittal for the remaining two.

Key legal provisions

Sections 143, 147, 120-B, 364, 302, 201, 506, 34, and 149 of the Indian Penal Code

Issues raised

Whether the accused be convicted even though the eyewitness was unreliable and the evidence did not clearly link them to the crime?

Arguments of the case

The State argued the accused were guilty and conspired in the murder. The defense argued the witness was planted and evidence was incomplete.

Judgement

The Supreme Court said the eyewitness was unreliable and the prosecution did not prove the full story. The Trial Court’s acquittal was correct, and the accused were released.

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