V.Vinodh v. State by
Case brief
What is this about?
Crl.A.No.437 of 2019, High Court of Judicature at Madras, decided 13.11.2025 (coram: N.Sathish Kumar and M.Jothiraman, JJ.). Criminal appeal under Section 374 of Cr.P.C. against conviction under Section 302 IPC (life imprisonment + Rs.5,000/- fine) by III Additional Sessions Court, Thiruvallur at Poonamallee in S.C.No.126 of 2016 dated 05.03.2019 (Crime No.677 of 2015, Maduravoyal Police Station). Appeal allowed; accused V.Vinodh acquitted of all charges on benefit of doubt. Key themes: unreliability of related eyewitnesses (son PW1 and son-in-law PW2) due to unnatural conduct, doubtful 00.05 hours FIR, absence at inquest; contradiction between empty stomach at postmortem (Ex.P13) and 10.30 p.m. post-dinner timeline; bone-deep lacerations inconsistent with single stone MO1; Medical Officer's concession of vehicular-accident possibility; doubtful arrest/confession (Ex.P19) and recovery of blood-stained jeans (MO4, Ex.P9) with PW9 not supporting; serology report alone insufficient. Acquittal of Section 341 IPC charge at trial under Section 232 Cr.P.C.; Section 235(2) Cr.P.C. questioning noted.