Supreme Court Acquits Accused in Madhya Pradesh Murder Case Citing Contradictory Evidence

The Supreme Court of India recently overturned the conviction of the accused in a 1994 murder case from Madhya Pradesh, citing inconsistencies in witness testimonies and lack of reliable evidence. The case, which had resulted in life imprisonment for the accused under Sections 148 and 302 read with 149 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), was closely scrutinized by the apex court. After careful examination, the court concluded that the prosecution failed to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Background of the Case

The case involved the murder of Gajraj Singh on May 25, 1994, in Brar Khora, Madhya Pradesh. According to the prosecution, witnesses Lakhan Singh (PW-10) and Ram Singh (PW-11) saw the accused—Imrat Singh, Hetam Singh, Raghubir Singh, Nirbhaya Singh, and Ratan Singh—assaulting the deceased with lathis. The witnesses allegedly fled the scene and later reported the crime to the police. The trial court and the Madhya Pradesh High Court relied on their testimonies to convict the accused.

Arguments by the Petitioner (Accused)

• The defense argued that the statements of the prosecution witnesses were unreliable due to contradictions and inconsistencies.
• The testimonies of Lakhan Singh and Ram Singh were allegedly “parrot-like” and rehearsed, casting doubt on their credibility.
• There was a significant delay in filing the FIR, raising questions about the authenticity of the prosecution’s narrative.
• The accused also pointed out that crucial witnesses, including the SDOP and Head Constable, were not examined by the prosecution.

Arguments by the Respondent (State of Madhya Pradesh)

• The prosecution maintained that the eyewitness testimonies were consistent and corroborated by circumstantial evidence.
• They argued that the discrepancies in minor details did not undermine the credibility of the witnesses.
• The State contended that enmity between the parties provided a clear motive for the crime.
• The testimony of Somati (PW-6) and Raghubir (PW-7) supported the “last seen” theory, linking the accused to the crime.

Supreme Court’s Observations and Judgment

The Supreme Court, comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose, closely analyzed the evidence and found multiple inconsistencies that weakened the prosecution’s case.

• The Court noted that the FIR was registered after police officials visited the crime scene, indicating possible manipulation of facts.
• The statements of Lakhan Singh (PW-10) and Ram Singh (PW-11) had material contradictions, particularly regarding how and when they reported the crime.
• The Court found discrepancies in how the deceased was allegedly enticed by the accused—some witnesses claimed liquor was offered, while others mentioned mutton.
• Key prosecution witnesses, including the Head Constable and Deputy Superintendent of Police, were not examined, affecting the case’s reliability.
• “In view of the contradictions pointed out above and the fact that it is difficult to rely upon the statements of key prosecution witnesses, we are of the view that a doubt has been cast and the benefit of doubt has to be given to the accused,” the Supreme Court ruled.

Given these inconsistencies, the Court concluded that the prosecution had failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The Supreme Court acquitted all the accused, setting aside their conviction and sentencing.

Final Verdict

This judgment underscores the importance of consistency in witness statements and proper investigative procedures in criminal trials. The Supreme Court’s ruling reiterates that an accused person cannot be convicted based on doubtful evidence, reinforcing the principle that justice must be based on clear, credible, and corroborated evidence.

Petitioner Name: Imrat Singh & Others.
Respondent Name: State of Madhya Pradesh.
Judgment By: Justice Deepak Gupta, Justice Aniruddha Bose.
Place Of Incident: Madhya Pradesh.
Judgment Date: 24-10-2019.

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