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Supreme Court of India 2019-09-03 allowed

Umesh Tukaram Padwal & Anr vs State of Maharashtra

Bench: 3 — <UNKNOWN>

In Brief

This appeal concerns murder and kidnapping charges against two appellants who allegedly cheated the deceased, promised him employment, and caused his death. The deceased went missing after leaving with the appellants, and his body was recovered. However, the Supreme Court found that while circumstantial evidence existed, the prosecution failed to establish the complete chain necessary for conviction. Critically, the alleged cheating was unproven, the procedural recording of the disclosure statement was flawed (panchs were not present despite claims), and no clear motive was shown. The court allowed the appeal and set aside the conviction, granting the appellants the benefit of doubt."

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Criminal Law Evidence Burden of Proof Conviction Murder Kidnapping Cheating

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