Summary
The State challenged acquittal of a husband accused of murdering his wife. The medical evidence did not rule out suicide, and the High Court had adopted that possibility in granting benefit of doubt. The Supreme Court held that the acquittal reflected a plausible assessment of the evidence and declined interference.
Issues
- Whether the State established grounds to reverse acquittal when medical evidence left suicide as a possible explanation for death.
Held
- The medical evidence did not conclusively establish homicidal death and did not rule out suicide. The High Court’s assessment of that evidence and the oral testimony was a plausible view supporting benefit of doubt. (¶¶ 5, 6)
- No compelling reason or substantial ground was shown to disturb the acquittal. The Court would not substitute a different view merely on the State’s renewed submissions about the parents’ testimony and medical evidence. (¶ 6)
Result
State’s appeal dismissed; the respondent’s acquittal under Section 302 IPC upheld.