In Brief
A man was convicted of his wife's murder, with both the trial court and High Court affirming a life sentence. The case rested entirely on circumstantial evidence. The Supreme Court acquitted him, holding that the prosecution failed to prove homicidal death. The post-mortem report stated the cause of death was hanging without ruling out suicide. There were no marks of violence or struggle on the deceased's body. The prosecution also failed to prove motive beyond reasonable doubt. The Court held that in circumstantial evidence cases, facts must exclude all hypotheses except guilt. Where two views are possible—suicide or homicide—the accused is entitled to the benefit of doubt. The appeal was allowed and the conviction set aside.
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