In Brief
Three accused were convicted of murder (Section 302 read with Section 34, IPC) based mainly on the testimony of a 16-year-old witness and recovered weapons. The appellants challenged the conviction, arguing the investigation was politically motivated. The Supreme Court found that the investigating officer admitted to political pressure and instructions to shield the original accused (named in the FIR) and frame the appellants instead. The alleged star witness testified that the original accused were arrested but released due to caste pressure. The seizure of weapons lacked credible witness corroboration, and blood stains were not linked to the deceased. The Court held the investigation fundamentally compromised, disbelieved the prosecution case entirely, and acquitted all three accused, invoking Article 142 to grant relief even to A1 who did not appeal.
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