In Brief
On 29 August 2008, an alleged violent assault occurred at a village fair involving multiple accused armed with weapons. The trial court acquitted all accused, finding the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt due to contradictory witness statements and material infirmities. The High Court reversed the acquittal and convicted them under various IPC sections. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, reaffirming acquittal. It held that since two reasonably possible views existed from the evidence and prosecution had not proven the case beyond reasonable doubt, the High Court was unjustified in reversing the acquittal. Key issues included inconsistent eyewitness accounts, hostile witnesses, absent hospital records, and unproven involvement of several accused persons."
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.