Supreme Court Accelerates Mumbai Poison Murder Trial, Sets Six-Month Deadline
The Supreme Court of India has taken decisive action to expedite the high-profile poisoning murder trial involving a Mumbai-based businessman, directing the trial court to conclude proceedings within a strict six-month timeframe. This significant development comes in response to a bail plea filed by one of the accused, Hitesh Jain, who remains in custody while his co-accused, Kavita Shah, was granted bail in September 2024.
Case Background and Allegations
The case dates back to 2022 when Mumbai Police booked Kavita Shah and Hitesh Jain for the alleged murder of Shah's husband, Kamalkant Shah, a Santacruz-based businessman. According to police investigations, Kamalkant Shah was hospitalized in September 2022 after complaining of severe pain and subsequently died during treatment. Medical tests conducted on the deceased revealed excessive traces of toxic chemical elements thallium and arsenic, both known to be potent poisons when ingested.
In a disturbing twist, Kamalkant's mother, Sarla Shah, had also been admitted to hospital with similar complaints approximately one month before her son's death and passed away shortly thereafter. While no formal complaint was filed regarding Sarla's death, police investigations suggested a possible connection between the two incidents.
Police Investigation Findings
The Mumbai Police investigation uncovered several crucial details:
- Medical tests conducted on other family members to determine if they had also been poisoned
- Allegations that Kavita Shah initially refused to undergo medical tests for eight days before eventually consenting
- Police claims that during this eight-day delay, Kavita consumed food containing small quantities of the same poisonous substances to present herself as a potential victim
- Investigations revealing that Kavita allegedly prepared the food consumed by both her husband and mother-in-law
- Hitesh Jain's arrest based on call data records showing communication between him and Kavita Shah
Legal Proceedings and Supreme Court Intervention
Hitesh Jain approached the Supreme Court seeking bail after both the sessions court and Bombay High Court rejected his previous applications. In his defense, Jain maintained his innocence, claiming no involvement in the crime and arguing that no substantial evidence connected him to the alleged murder.
The Supreme Court, in an order passed on December 18, 2025, and communicated to the trial court earlier this month, noted that four witnesses have been examined so far, including one as recently as last week. The apex court's directive specifically states that if the trial is not concluded within the stipulated six-month period, Jain would be at liberty to file a fresh bail application before the appropriate court.
Current Status and Implications
This Supreme Court order represents a significant development in a case that has captured public attention due to its sensational nature involving alleged poisoning through food. The court's intervention highlights the judiciary's commitment to ensuring timely justice while balancing the rights of the accused. The six-month deadline places considerable pressure on the trial court to expedite proceedings, potentially setting a precedent for how similar complex criminal cases might be handled in the future.
The case continues to unfold as the Mumbai trial court works to meet the Supreme Court's deadline, with legal experts closely watching how this directive will impact the pace of judicial proceedings in one of Mumbai's most talked-about criminal cases.
