Lalsab @ Lalappa S/O Kadiyappa v. the State of Karnataka
Case brief
What is this about?
Acquittal in murder case resting on circumstantial evidence: motive (illicit relationship) unproved; recovery of weapons MO.13–MO.16 doubtful; last-seen witness hostile; FSL report Ex.P50 unusable; mobile phone MO.11 and call detail records Ex.P45–P47 inconclusive; convictions under S.302/201 r/w S.34 IPC and S.302/109 IPC set aside; accused Nos.1–4 acquitted; bail bonds cancelled. High Court of Karnataka, Kalaburagi Bench, Crl.A.No.3555 of 2013 c/w Crl.A.No.3569 of 2013, decided 04.06.2025 (coram: Mohammad Nawaz & K S Hemalekha JJ.; oral judgment per Mohammad Nawaz J.); impugned judgment: FTC-I, Raichur, S.C.No.129/2011 dated 19.03.2013; FIR Crime No.110/2011; deceased Kanakappa; Bailagudda village, Tq. Lingasugur, Dist. Raichur; accused/appellants Lalsab @ Lalappa, Hanumant, Balappa, Rachanagouda; appeals under S.374(2) Cr.P.C.
What did the court decide?
Both appeals allowed; the judgment and order dated 19.03.2013 of the Presiding Officer, FTC-I, Raichur in S.C.No.129/2011 convicting and sentencing accused Nos.1 to 3 under Sections 302 and 201 read with Section 34 IPC and accused No.4 under Sections 302 and 109 IPC set aside; appellants (accused Nos.1 to 4) acquitted of the charges levelled against them; bail bonds stand cancelled.