In Brief
The Supreme Court dismissed appeals by the State and complainant against the High Court's acquittal of eight accused persons charged with murder under Sections 148, 302, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. Though the trial court had convicted them based on the complainant's eyewitness testimony, the High Court found serious contradictions among prosecution witnesses and a mismatch between eyewitness accounts and medical evidence (which showed the victim was thrown into the pond alive). The Supreme Court upheld the acquittal, holding that in appeals against acquittal, when the High Court as First Appellate Court thoroughly analyzes evidence and finds guilt not proved beyond reasonable doubt, the view favoring the accused must be accepted.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.