In Brief
A man was accused of dishonestly receiving stolen cash (₹25,000) that he allegedly received from another accused as payment for disposing of a murder victim's body. Both accused were acquitted of theft (Section 379 IPC) by trial and appellate courts. The Supreme Court held that a conviction under Section 411 IPC (dishonestly receiving stolen property) cannot stand when the courts have already acquitted the accused of theft. The Court also found the High Court wrongly reversed the burden of proof by requiring the accused to explain possession of cash, when the prosecution must prove the property was stolen. The conviction was set aside and the appellant acquitted."]
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