Supreme Court Acquits Man After 20 Years in Murder Case
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has acquitted a man sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his live-in partner in Thane, Maharashtra, in 2004. The apex court highlighted that an extra-judicial confession, riddled with discrepancies, cannot be the sole basis for a conviction.
Background of the Case
The accused was initially convicted by a trial court, a decision upheld by the Bombay High Court in 2010. However, the Supreme Court bench acknowledged the strong suspicion against the accused but emphasized that suspicion alone cannot replace concrete evidence.
Key Observations by the Supreme Court
The bench stated, “No doubt there is a strong suspicion and the needle of suspicion qua the death points towards him, but as is the settled jurisprudence of this country, suspicion, howsoever strong, cannot take the place of hard evidence.” The court found the extra-judicial confession made to family members and relatives lacked credibility and presented material contradictions.
Legal Implications
This ruling underscores the necessity of reliable evidence in securing a conviction. The Supreme Court’s decision not only highlights the importance of substantial proof in criminal cases but also serves as a reminder of the legal principle that one should not be convicted based solely on suspicion.
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