In Brief
The appellants Babu Lal and Devi Lal were convicted of murder (Section 302) and conspiracy (Section 120B) in the killing of Dharam Chand in 1999. The Supreme Court reversed their convictions, finding that the prosecution's case rested entirely on circumstantial evidence that was incomplete and incoherent. Although suspicions existed—including financial disputes and recovery of physical items—the Court held that the chain of circumstances did not establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The extra-judicial confession lacked corroboration, and Devi Lal's involvement was never properly explained. The Court emphasized that suspicion, however grave, cannot substitute proof. Both appellants were acquitted and released.
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