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Landmark Judgment: Supreme Court Highlights Importance of Fair Trial in Corruption Cases

14Aug

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Supreme Court

Landmark Judgment: Supreme Court Highlights Importance of Fair Trial in Corruption Cases

The Supreme Court acquitted the appellant, overturning the High Court's conviction under Sections 7, 12, and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 120B IPC. The Court held that the prosecution failed to prove demand and acceptance of bribe beyond reasonable doubt, citing material contradictions, lack of corroborative evidence, and procedural lapses in the trap proceedings. It emphasized the double presumption of innocence in acquittal appeals and ruled that conjectures cannot substitute legal proof. The judgment reaffirmed that mere recovery of tainted money, without conclusive proof of demand, is insufficient for conviction under anti-corruption laws. Facts Of The Case: The case involved M. Sambasiva Rao, an Assistant Administrative Officer at United India Insu...

Supreme Court Acquits Man in Rape Case Due to Lack of Evidence on Victim’s Age

The Supreme Court acquitted the accused, holding that the prosecution failed to prove the victim was a minor under Sections 363/376 IPC. The school certificate (Ex.P11) lacked corroborative evidence under Section 35 of the Evidence Act, as the source of birth records was unverified. Additionally, charges of kidnapping (Section 363) and wrongful confinement (Section 342) were unsubstantiated, as the victim’s voluntary companionship and lack of coercion negated criminal intent. The Court emphasized that mere entries in official documents require independent proof to establish age conclusively, and absence of non-consensual sexual intercourse invalidated the rape charge (Section 376). Benefit of doubt was granted due to insufficient evidence. Facts Of The Case: The case involves Birka Shiva...

Supreme Court Acquits Accused in Chhattisgarh Murder Case : “Eyewitness Failures Lead to Acquittal”

The Supreme Court acquitted the accused in a double murder case, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The judgment emphasized that eyewitnesses must identify accused in court and link them to specific roles, noting material omissions and contradictions in testimonies. It reinforced Section 162 CrPC standards for reliable evidence, overturning concurrent convictions due to fatal investigative lapses. Facts Of The Case: The case involved a violent incident on March 24, 2001, in Masturi, Chhattisgarh, where nine accused armed with swords, lathis, and poleaxes allegedly attacked a medical shop, killing Manrakhan Singh and Narayan Singh and injuring five others, including family members of the deceased. The prosecution claimed the attack stemmed from a pr...