In Brief
The State of Haryana appealed against the acquittal of respondent-accused in a kidnapping case. A nine-year-old boy had been kidnapped in 1996, with ransom paid and the child recovered. The Trial Court convicted all accused, but the High Court acquitted seven accused (Vikas, Yashpal, Vidya Sagar, Vishav Pal, Pawan Kumar, Sunder Pal, and Jagbir Singh) as they were merely playing cards near the railway station and had no direct role in the kidnapping. The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's acquittal, holding that prosecution must prove guilt beyond doubt, and mere presence at the scene without evidence of participation or conspiracy is insufficient. The appeal was dismissed.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.