In Brief
A group of 10–12 persons, including the appellant, allegedly committed a dacoity at a victim's house, causing injuries and stealing ornaments and cash. The appellant was arrested and made a confessional statement in police custody, leading to recovery of stolen goods and money. The trial court convicted him under Section 396 IPC (dacoity with murder), and the High Court upheld the conviction. The Supreme Court held that the confessional statement, when coupled with recovery of incriminating material, satisfies Section 27 of the Evidence Act. Non-identification by eyewitnesses was not fatal to the prosecution case given the strong circumstantial and direct evidence. The appeal was dismissed and the conviction affirmed.
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