#capital punishment

Gauhati High Court sets a high threshold for convicting accused in capital punishment cases based on child witness testimony, requiring robust corroboration and reliable recovery evidence. The ruling acquits two accused in a double murder case, reinforcing safeguards against wrongful convictions in serious offenses.

The Bombay High Court has ruled that relying on forensic reports without summoning and cross-examining the analysts vitiates the trial, especially in death penalty cases. This mandates remand for proper cross-examination and a fresh recording of the accused's statement under Section 351 of the BNSS, reinforcing the right to a fair trial and challenging the admissibility of untested scientific evidence.