Anandram Rathiya v. State of Chhattisgarh
Case brief
What is this about?
CRA-1222-2019, Chhattisgarh High Court, decided 06.02.2025: murder conviction under Sections 302 & 201/34 IPC set aside; circumstantial-evidence acquittal on benefit of doubt. Key themes: five golden principles / panchsheel of Sharad Birdhichand Sarda; inapplicability of Section 106 Evidence Act where sole-inmate/last-together fact not proved (separate houses and kitchens proved by PW-02, PW-04 and site map Ex.P/14); recovery of scarf and nylon rope (Ex.P/07) worthless without chemical examination for human blood and absent uniqueness (Digamber Vaishnav relied on); homicidal death by strangulation affirmed (postmortem Ex.P/16); homicide within house; benefit of doubt; Sessions Case No.118 of 2018, Raigarh.
What did the court decide?
Conviction and sentence of the appellants under Sections 302 & 201/34 IPC set aside; appellants acquitted of the said charges on the basis of benefit of doubt; since they are in jail, directed to be released forthwith if not required in any other matter/case.