H Thippeswamy v. the State by
Case brief
What is this about?
Karnataka High Court (Division Bench: Mohammad Nawaz & G Basavaraja JJ), NC: 2026:KHC:27821-DB, CRL.A No. 1054 of 2018 (C), judgment dated 09.06.2026 - acquittal in a circumstantial-evidence case under Sections 306, 366, 376 IPC and Sections 4, 8, 12 POCSO Act arising out of the suicide of a girl after alleged kidnapping and penetrative sexual assault on 07.11.2016; last-seen theory (PW7, PW8), seizure of mobile phone with SIM 9740060204, recovery of blood-stained cloth MO.6, recovery of car KA-16/C-3412 and FSL report Ex.P21 all held not proved or not incriminating; victim's minority under S.2(d) POCSO Act not proved; S.306 IPC r/w S.107 IPC ingredients absent; FIR had named Manjunatha and Kariyanna who were dropped without explanation; Sessions Court cannot impose imprisonment for remainder of natural life for a pre-21.04.2018 offence (S.376(3) IPC amendment) - Kiran v. State of Karnataka, 2025 LiveLaw (SC) 1231 and Union of India v. Shreeharan @ Murugan, (2016) 7 SCC 1 relied on; benefit of doubt per Ashish Batham v. State of M.P., (2002) 7 SCC 317; conviction and sentence set aside, accused acquitted.