In Brief
Sudru was convicted of murdering his son Ajit under Section 302 IPC based on circumstantial evidence. The key prosecution narrative: Sudru quarrelled with his second wife Janki Bai, who left with her two younger children; Ajit (the elder son) remained with Sudru, and was found dead the next morning with neck injuries suggesting strangulation. Although all related witnesses turned hostile, the Supreme Court held that credible parts of a hostile witness's testimony may be relied upon. The Court found that once the prosecution established Sudru and Ajit were alone that night, the burden shifted to Sudru under Section 106 IEA to explain the death. His defence—that death was due to illness—was contradicted by medical evidence of strangulation. The Court dismissed his appeal, holding the conviction sound.
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