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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
P.VELMURUGAN, M.JOTHIRAMAN
State, represented by The Deputy Superintendent of Police – Appellant
Versus
Loganathan – Respondent
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. factual background of the case. (Para 2 , 3) |
| 2. observations on prosecution evidence. (Para 5 , 6 , 10 , 14) |
| 3. arguments regarding the circumstantial evidence. (Para 7 , 8) |
| 4. court’s verdict on charges. (Para 20 , 22) |
| 5. final ruling of the court. (Para 25 , 26) |
ORDER :
P.Velmurugan, J.
This Criminal Appeal has been filed by the State to set aside the judgment of acquittal of the respondent/accused in Special Sessions Case No.1 of 2018 dated 27.11.2018 on the file of the Principal Sessions Judge, Namakkal and convict the respondent/accused for the charges framed against him.
2. The case of the prosecution is that the deceased is a widow. The deceased was staying in her parental home along with her three children. On 16.07.2017 at 5 p.m., the deceased had gone to a spinning mill for coolie work and thereafter, she did not return home on that night. Next day morning i.e. on 17.07.2017 at 6 a.m., one Ilango, informed the father of the deceased/P.W.1 that his daughter/deceased was found dead near Mala Temple, Appaiyamedu. Hence, P.W.1 rushed to the scene of occurrence along with Ilango in his two wheeler and found his daughter dead in mess condition with torn blouse. There
Prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt; absence of eyewitnesses and circumstantial evidence weakens the case, resulting in acquittal.
Circumstantial evidence must establish a continuous chain without breaks; otherwise, the accused is entitled to acquittal due to reasonable doubt.
The court reaffirmed that conviction based solely on circumstantial evidence requires clear establishment of motive, last seen theory, and connections through unbroken chains of evidence.
Circumstantial evidence must establish a clear chain of events linking the accused to the crime; failure to prove motive or support claims undermines conviction.
The principle that an accused cannot be convicted based on suspicion alone, and the prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, especially in cases relying on circumstantial evidence.
In criminal cases based on circumstantial evidence, it is imperative that the prosecution establishes a clear chain of circumstances that unambiguously points to the guilt of the accused, without alt....
The prosecution must establish a complete and cogent chain of circumstantial evidence to support a conviction for murder, failing which the accused is entitled to acquittal.
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