IN THE HIGH COURT OF UTTARAKHAND AT NAINITAL
RAVINDRA MAITHANI, SIDDHARTHA SAH
Prakash Singh – Appellant
Versus
State of Uttarakhand – Respondent
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. linked appeals from same trial consolidated. (Para 1 , 2 , 3) |
| 2. threats over liquor raid motivated strangulation murders. (Para 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9) |
| 3. trial proceeded post-accused death; court witnesses deny. (Para 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17) |
| 4. circumstantial evidence chain incomplete; recoveries disputed. (Para 18 , 19 , 20 , 21) |
| 5. proof beyond reasonable doubt mandatory for conviction. (Para 22 , 23 , 24 , 25) |
| 6. witnesses confirm threats, sightings, strangulation cause. (Para 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35) |
| 7. police, io evidence: arrests, recoveries, blood on soil. (Para 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43) |
| 8. sharad birdhichand principles unmet; chain not complete. (Para 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54) |
| 9. prosecution failed; appellants acquitted, released forthwith. (Para 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60) |
JUDGMENT :
RAVINDRA MAITHANI, J.
1. Since all these criminal appeals arise from one and the same sessions trial, they are heard together and being decided by this common judgment.
2. The instant appeals have been preferred against the judgment and order dated 26.05.2025/27.05.2025, passed in Sessions Trial No. 223 of
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A conviction based on circumstantial evidence requires a complete chain of evidence that excludes all reasonable hypotheses of innocence.
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