In a dramatic turn of events, the Supreme Court of India has overturned the conviction of a man accused in the harrowing 2016 rape and murder case of an 85-year-old woman, delivering a verdict that highlights critical flaws in the investigation process.
The Case That Shook the Nation
The incident dates back to 2016 when an 85-year-old woman was found brutally assaulted and murdered in her residence. The case had sent shockwaves through the community and led to the arrest and subsequent conviction of the accused in lower courts.
Supreme Court's Groundbreaking Ruling
A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta scrutinized the evidence presented by the prosecution and found several glaring inconsistencies. The court observed that the investigation failed to establish a concrete chain of evidence linking the accused to the crime.
Key Reasons for Acquittal
- Lack of direct evidence connecting the accused to the crime scene
- Failure to establish proper motive
- Procedural lapses in evidence collection
- Inconsistencies in witness testimonies
- Absence of DNA evidence conclusively linking the accused
Judicial Observations
The bench emphasized that while the crime was undoubtedly heinous, the court cannot uphold a conviction based on circumstantial evidence that doesn't meet the required legal standards. "The presumption of innocence continues until the prosecution proves guilt beyond reasonable doubt," the court noted in its judgment.
Broader Implications
This ruling underscores the importance of thorough investigation and proper collection of evidence in criminal cases. Legal experts suggest this judgment will have far-reaching consequences for how rape and murder cases are investigated and prosecuted across India.
The accused, who had spent several years in prison during the trial, has been ordered to be released immediately unless required in any other case.
