Supreme Court dismisses appeal, upholds acquittal of two in murder case

The case involves the State of Himachal Pradesh appealing against the acquittal of Varinder Verma and Dev Raj, who were convicted for murder under Sections 302/34 IPC. The core issue is whether the circumstantial evidence against the accused was sufficient to sustain the conviction, given the lack of eyewitnesses and questionable evidence.

Petitioner: State of Himachal Pradesh; Respondent: Varinder Verma@Jatti & Anr.; Bench: Justices Manoj Misra and Vijay Bishnoi

• The appeal against the acquittal of Varinder Verma and Dev Raj was dismissed.
• The Court found the prosecution evidence unreliable due to lack of eyewitnesses, questionable recovery of evidence, and delayed disclosure by witness PW-3.
• The Court held that the circumstantial evidence did not conclusively establish guilt and the accused were entitled to the benefit of doubt.
• The recoveries of Dandas and blood-stained clothes were deemed stage-managed and artificial.
• Pending applications were disposed of.

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