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2020 Supreme(SC) 28

R.BANUMATHI, A.S.BOPANNA
Padum Kumar – Appellant
Versus
State Of Uttar Pradesh – Respondent


Advocates Appeared:
For the Petitioner(s):Rameshwar Prasad Goyal, Advocate
For the Respondent(s):Aviral Saxena, Adarsh Upadhyay, Advocates

Judgement Key Points

The courts have expressed a cautious approach regarding forensic examination results, emphasizing that expert opinion evidence should be corroborated by other evidence before being relied upon for conviction. They have noted that the opinion of a handwriting expert, in particular, is considered a piece of corroborative evidence rather than conclusive proof on its own. The courts have highlighted that expert testimony must be carefully scrutinized, and reliance solely on such evidence without independent or reliable corroboration is unsafe.

Additionally, the courts have acknowledged that the science of handwriting identification is not entirely perfect and that the risk of error exists. Therefore, the opinion of a handwriting expert should be supported by other direct or circumstantial evidence to strengthen the case. They have also pointed out that the opinion of an expert is meant to assist the court in forming its own judgment and should be tested by the reasons provided by the expert.

Overall, the courts advocate a cautious and corroborative approach towards forensic examination results, stressing that such evidence is not to be solely determinative of guilt or innocence without supporting evidence.


JUDGMENT :

R. BANUMATHI, J.

Leave granted.

2. This appeal has been preferred challenging the impugned judgment dated 19.02.2018 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad in Criminal Revision No.511 of 2006 whereby the High Court dismissed the revision petition filed by the appellant confirming his conviction under Sections 467 and 468 IPC and the sentence of imprisonment imposed upon him.

3. Briefly stated case of the prosecution is as under:-

The appellant-Padum Kumar was then working as Postman in Indira Nagar Post Office, Lucknow. On 09.04.1992, PW-3-Dr. M.L. Varshney, Professor, Agriculture Institute, Naini, Allahabad had sent a registered envelope No.0095 to the Complainant-Dr. K.B. Varshney (PW-1) from the Sub-Post Office of the said Institute. The said envelope contained four Indira Vikas Patra of value of each Rs.5,000/- totalling Rs.20,000/-. The envelope did not reach PW-1- Dr. K.B. Varshney; therefore, on 27.04.1992, PW-3-Dr. M.L. Varshney made a complaint before the Post Master, Post Office, Agriculture Institute, Naini, Allahabad. PW-1-Complainant-Dr.K.B. Varshney also enquired from Indira Nagar Post Office. On 29.04.1992, PW-1 had also filed a complaint to the Se

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