In Brief
A man was arrested with 7 kg of charas (cannabis) after allegedly being spotted by police on patrol duty. The trial court acquitted him, finding material contradictions in police evidence—particularly regarding whether it was dark or daylight during apprehension and who authored the seizure and arrest memos—and noting the prosecution failed to secure independent witnesses despite having the opportunity. The High Court reversed the acquittal and convicted him to 20 years imprisonment. The Supreme Court allowed his appeal, holding that when police evidence lacks independent corroboration and contains material contradictions on crucial facts, it must be scrutinized strictly. The Court restored the acquittal, finding the prosecution had not proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
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