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The Supreme Court set aside a life-sentence conviction where the sole evidence was an uncorroborated child witness, reaffirming the double presumption of innocence. It held that independent corroboration is essential in serious criminal trials, reshaping how prosecutions rely on child testimony.
The Allahabad High Court set aside a life sentence because the FIR was lodged after the incident and key eyewitnesses were not present at the time, rendering the evidence unreliable. This ruling stresses that a contemporaneous FIR and credible witnesses are essential for upholding murder convictions, offering relief to appellants facing similar evidentiary deficiencies.
The Gauhati High Court dismissed appeals by five accused convicted of murder and rioting in a land dispute over a community hall, upholding life imprisonment. The Court rejected claims of private defence, prioritizing ocular evidence over technical flaws and affirming the trial court's findings.
Allahabad HC grants bail in a dowry death case under IPC 302 and 498A, emphasizing accidental death evidence from postmortem reports and witness statements, absence of custodial interrogation need, and jail overcrowding. The ruling underscores that bail may be granted even in serious offences if prosecution fails to establish prima facie culpability beyond accidental circumstances.
The Rajasthan High Court granted bail under Section 483 BNSS in a murder case where the sole eyewitnesses turned hostile and the incident arose from a sudden quarrel without prior intent. This reinforces that in homicide cases, the collapse of key prosecution testimony, coupled with no evidence of planning, can outweigh the gravity of the charge when custody is prolonged without fresh incriminating material.
Madhya Pradesh High Court grants bail to a life convict under IPC 302 on the novel condition of tree plantation and environmental compliance, marking a rare intersection of criminal jurisprudence and rehabilitative justice. This ruling sets a precedent for integrating community service with bail conditions, particularly in cases involving long-term incarceration.