The Allahabad High Court has acquitted four individuals previously sentenced to death for the 2017 killings of a young couple in Budaun, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
In an order passed on September 8 and made public on Monday, a division bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Achal Sachdev allowed the criminal appeals of Vijay Pal, Ramveer, Kishan Lal, and his wife Jaldhara. The bench dismissed the death reference submitted for confirmation and instructed authorities to release all four appellants immediately, provided they are not detained in connection with any other legal matters.
The judges observed that while the submitted material may have generated suspicion against the four accused, suspicion alone cannot substitute for conclusive legal proof of guilt.
Gaps in Investigation and Witness Testimony
In examining the trial records, the high court identified multiple significant deficiencies in the prosecution’s case. The bench noted that the testimony provided by alleged eyewitnesses raised serious doubts. Furthermore, the investigating officer failed to explain why immediate neighbours of the crime scene were never questioned, and individuals cited as seizure witnesses were not examined during the proceedings.
The court also highlighted discrepancies regarding the specific weapon purportedly used in the killings. Although a forensic laboratory confirmed the presence of human blood on recovered items, technicians were unable to determine the blood group, leaving the physical evidence inconclusive.
Trial Court Sentences Overruled
The high court’s verdict sets aside decisions delivered in September 2022 by a trial court in Budaun. On September 17, 2022, the trial court convicted Vijay Pal, Ramveer, Kishan Lal, and Jaldhara under Indian Penal Code Sections 302 (murder) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).
Five days later, on September 22, 2022, the trial judge handed down capital punishment to all four individuals alongside a fine of Rs 50,000 each, sending the matter to the high court for statutory confirmation.
Background of the Incident and Allegations
The case dates back to May 14, 2017, when Govind and Asha died of traumatic injuries in Budaun. Post-mortem examinations revealed that Govind suffered six distinct injuries, while Asha sustained three, with medical examiners determining shock and haemorrhage as the cause of death for both victims.
Following the deaths, an initial First Information Report was lodged at the Wazirganj police station based on a complaint filed by Govind’s father, Pappu. The police registered the case under Indian Penal Code Sections 147 and 148, which govern rioting and rioting armed with deadly weapons, in addition to Section 302 for murder.
According to the theory advanced by the prosecution at trial, Govind was involved in a romantic relationship with Kishan Lal’s daughter, Asha, an alliance opposed by her family. Prosecutors alleged that Kishan’s relative, Vijay Pal, invited Govind to his home under the pretext of discussing a prospective marriage between the couple. Once inside, Govind was reportedly ambushed and killed with a sharp-edged weapon, after which Asha was also murdered when she attempted to intervene.
