The Supreme Court on Saturday acquitted two men who were sentenced to death in a rape and murder case, ruling that the conviction was based solely on circumstantial evidence and lacked conclusive proof. The bench allowed the appeals filed by Mehtab and Sushil alias Bhura, ordering their immediate release from jail.
Case Background
Mehtab and Sushil were convicted by a trial court in Uttarakhand for the rape and murder of a young woman in 2013. The prosecution relied heavily on circumstantial evidence, including last-seen theory and recovery of belongings. Both men were sentenced to death, which was upheld by the Uttarakhand High Court in 2016. The Supreme Court stayed their execution in 2018 while hearing their appeals.
Supreme Court's Observation
The apex court observed that the chain of circumstances was incomplete and did not conclusively point to the guilt of the accused. "The case is based on circumstantial evidence, and the prosecution failed to establish a complete chain without any missing link," the bench noted. The court emphasized that in cases of capital punishment, the standard of proof must be beyond reasonable doubt.
The judgment highlighted several inconsistencies in the prosecution's case, including lack of forensic evidence and unreliable witness testimonies. "Mere suspicion, however strong, cannot take the place of proof," the court added.
Implications
Legal experts say this acquittal underscores the importance of rigorous scrutiny in death penalty cases. The Supreme Court has consistently held that life imprisonment is the rule and death sentence is an exception, to be awarded only in the rarest of rare cases. This ruling may influence future cases where circumstantial evidence forms the basis of conviction.
The two men, who spent over a decade in prison, were released following the order. Their families expressed relief, while the victim's family voiced disappointment.
