In Brief
On 8 July 1995, a man named Data Ram was allegedly assaulted and killed in a field by accused including Mat Ram, Bhim Singh, and Mukesh Kumar. Of 26 accused named, the trial court convicted five. The High Court acquitted Mat Ram based on alibi evidence but upheld convictions of Mukesh Kumar and Bhim Singh. The Supreme Court held that Mat Ram's alibi evidence (workplace presence on 7 July) was irrelevant to the crime on 8 July, reversed the High Court's acquittal, and restored his conviction. Mukesh Kumar's conviction was set aside due to discrepancies between attributed role and injuries. Bhim Singh's conviction was affirmed as evidence was consistent and corroborated.
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