In Brief
Two men were convicted of murdering their friend Arun, who died from a drug overdose in a hotel room in 2004. The Supreme Court acquitted them, finding the conviction was based on weak circumstantial evidence. Although Arun died from an overdose of Tidijesic (a narcotic), the prosecution failed to prove the appellants administered the fatal dose. The alleged motive—jealousy over a woman—was never properly established and was introduced only four years after the death. Medical evidence could not determine when the lethal injection was given or who gave it. The Court noted the deceased, a drug user, could have self-administered the final injection. Absent eyewitnesses, recoveries, or proof of guilt beyond reasonable doubt, the Court held the circumstantial evidence was insufficient and acquitted the appellants."
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