Six accused in a murder case acquitted by the Supreme Court

In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of India has acquitted six individuals accused of murder, citing a lack of credible evidence after the majority of witnesses, including the victim's son, turned hostile. Commenting on the case with "a heavy heart," the court acknowledged the unresolved nature of the crime but emphasized the absence of prosecutable evidence. A bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and K Vinod Chandran overturned a Karnataka High Court verdict from September 27, 2023, which had convicted the accused based on limited and questionable testimonies.

The trial court's decision to acquit the defendants was thus reinstated. Justice Chandran, in a detailed 49-page judgment, expressed regret over the trial proceedings, noting the troubling trend of witnesses retracting their statements. Out of 87 witnesses, 71 reversed their previous testimonies, undermining the prosecution's case and spotlighting flaws in the investigative process. "The integrity of the prosecution was severely compromised, as many witnesses disowned prior statements, denied knowledge of key events, or displayed ignorance about critical circumstances," the bench remarked.

Even the victim’s young son, who allegedly witnessed his father's murder, could not identify the attackers, further complicating the case. The Supreme Court criticized the Karnataka High Court for erring in its conviction, stating it relied on assumptions based on police testimonies rather than solid legal evidence. The top court stressed the prosecution's failure to prove allegations, given the hostile stance of witnesses during the trial. "Regardless of the reasons behind their hostility, convictions cannot rest solely on investigative officers' testimonies, which are devoid of legal standing as per Sections 161 and 162 of the CrPC and Sections 25 and 26 of the Evidence Act," the judgment clarified.

The ruling directed the immediate release of the accused unless they are detained for other reasons. Justice Chandran emphasized that truth must be established by valid evidence, either direct or circumstantial, forming an indisputable chain linking the accused to the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

The judgment also underscored the judiciary's challenge to uphold legal standards, even amid inherent frustrations of unresolved criminal cases. This case stemmed from a familial rivalry that culminated in the murder of Ramkrishna, killed while walking with his son on April 28, 2011. The police alleged that Ramkrishna’s former employer and six associates executed the crime following his defection to work for a rival brother.