JUDGMENT :

Chandramauli Kr. Prasad, J.:-

Before we proceed to consider the case, we must remind ourselves the maxim “judex damnatur cum nocens absolvitur” which means that a Judge is condemned when guilty person escapes punishment. But, at the same time, we cannot forget that credibility of the justice delivery system comes under severe strain when a person is put on trial only for acquittal.

2. By Order dated 8th December, 2011, Veja Prabhat Bhutia was added as petitioner no. 2. He was an accused in the case and his grievance was that due to pendency of the present petition filed by petitioner Babubhai Bhimabhai Bokhiria, his trial has been stayed and he is unnecessarily rotting in jail. This judgment shall, therefore, will have no bearing on him and the expression “petitioner/appellant” in this judgment would mean petitioner no.1/appellant no.1 Babubhai Bhimabhai Bokhiria.

3. Shorn of unnecessary details, facts giving rise to the present petition are that one Mulubhai Gigabhai Modhvadiya was murdered on 16th of November, 2005 and for that a case was registered at Kalambaug Police Station, Porbandar, under Section 302, 201, 34, 120B, 465, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code and Se