#motive in criminal cases

The Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled that a murder conviction under Section 302 IPC can stand on the strength of unimpeachable eyewitness testimony and medical evidence alone, even if motive is not established. This reinforces the primacy of direct ocular evidence in criminal trials, setting a precedent for prosecutors and defence counsel in cases lacking clear motive.

Allahabad HC rules that conviction under Section 302 IPC can rest solely on a single credible eyewitness, even if the motive is remote, the weapon is not recovered, or the witness is related to the victim. The court emphasizes that consistent and confidence-inspiring testimony overrides evidentiary gaps, reinforcing the primacy of direct evidence in murder trials.

Kerala High Court acquits accused in murder case, holding prosecution failed to prove circumstantial chain beyond reasonable doubt. Key precedent on motive and evidentiary gaps.