In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has acquitted an appellant accused of the 2002 murder of a four-and-a-half-year-old child, citing insufficient evidence and questionable circumstances surrounding the confession. The court emphasized, “Suspicion, however strong, cannot be the basis for conviction,” underscoring a foundational principle of criminal justice.
The case dates back to December 11, 2002, when the complainant reported their young son missing. The subsequent search led to the tragic discovery of the child’s body in a village well. Investigations pointed to the appellant, with the prosecution claiming that an axe with bloodstains was recovered at her behest. However, the court noted that the serological report failed to conclusively match the bloodstains on the weapon with that of the deceased, casting doubt on the reliability of the evidence.
Further complicating the case was the appellant’s alleged confession under Section 27 of the Evidence Act, 1872. The bench expressed concerns over the clarity and circumstances of the confession, stating that the materials presented by the prosecution were not robust enough to unequivocally establish the appellant’s guilt.
During the trial, it was also revealed that the appellant was suffering from depression and had made statements regarding her mental health condition. The prosecution suggested a motive, alleging that the appellant was retaliating against the deceased’s mother for purportedly mistreating her own children. However, the court found these allegations to be unsubstantiated, noting that at the time of the incident, the appellant’s children were adults and the deceased was a young child.
