Case Note & Summary
The case involved an appeal against the conviction of the appellant for the murder of his two-year-old son, Mayuresh, under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. The appellant was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs. 5000 by the Additional Sessions Judge, Hinganghat. The prosecution alleged that the appellant had a strained relationship with his wife, Nutan, and suspected her character, leading to domestic violence. On January 8, 2016, the appellant took Mayuresh from Nutan's maternal uncle's house and did not return. The next day, Nutan received a call from the appellant claiming he had thrown Mayuresh into a well. The police later recovered Mayuresh's body from the well. The appellant's defense argued that the prosecution failed to establish a strained relationship and inconsistencies in witness testimonies. The prosecution countered that the evidence, including the appellant's extra-judicial confession and witness accounts, formed a complete chain of circumstantial evidence. The court analyzed the evidence, emphasizing the importance of motive and the reliability of circumstantial evidence. Ultimately, the court upheld the conviction, finding no reason to interfere with the lower court's judgment.
Headnote
A) Criminal Law - Murder - Conviction under Section 302 IPC - The appellant was convicted for murdering his son by throwing him into a well. The court found that the prosecution established a complete chain of circumstantial evidence pointing towards the guilt of the appellant, despite the first informant turning hostile. The evidence included the appellant's extra-judicial confession and the recovery of the body from the well (Paras 1-14).
Issue of Consideration
Whether the prosecution established the guilt of the appellant beyond reasonable doubt based on circumstantial evidence.
Final Decision
The High Court dismissed Criminal Appeal No. 775 of 2022, upholding the conviction and life sentence of the appellant for the murder of his son, and imposed a fine of Rs. 5000.
Law Points
- Section 302 IPC
- circumstantial evidence
- extra-judicial confession
- motive
- strained relations
