Name of the Case: State of Rajasthan v. Hanuman
Citation: Criminal Appeal No. 631 of 2017
Bench: Hon’ble Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Prasanna B. Varale
Date: 19.06.2025
The Hon’ble Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by the State of Rajasthan challenging the acquittal of the accused, who was previously convicted under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 for the alleged murder of Chotu Lal in 2007. Taking reliance entirely on circumstantial evidence, particularly the alleged motive involving the wife of the deceased and the later discovery of a blood-stained knife. However, this conviction was reversed by the High Court, citing the incomplete nature of the chain of events, leading to an appeal by the State before the Apex Court.
Upholding the reasoning as provided by the Hon’ble High Court, the Hon’ble Supreme Court emphasised that the mere recovery of a weapon bearing blood of the same blood group as the deceased is not, in isolation, sufficient to establish any guilt. The Supreme Court drew on its earlier rulings and reiterated that such forensic links hold good only in the presence of other compelling links between the evidence on record. In absence of any such corroborated evidence, the bench found the claim by the prosecution to be vague. The Apex Court further affirmed the settled principle that an appeal against acquittal is only permissible when the guilt of the accused is the sole possible inference, concluding that no such standard was met in this case, and dismissed the appeal for lack of merit1.
- https://api.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2016/2989/2989_2016_12_119_62192_Order_19-Jun-2025.pdf
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