Supreme Court acquits man, ruling disputed WhatsApp message cannot sustain murder conviction

This case involves a criminal appeal by Kusumlal Sao against his conviction for the murder of Saurabh Panda, where the Supreme Court examined whether a disputed WhatsApp message and other circumstantial evidence were sufficient to sustain the conviction.

Who it concerns: Appellant: Kusumlal Sao; Respondent: State of Chhattisgarh; Bench: Justice Manoj Misra.

What the court decided

• The Court granted leave to appeal.
• The Court acquitted the appellant of the charges under Sections 302/201 of the Indian Penal Code.
• The Court set aside the conviction and sentence imposed by the Trial Court and affirmed by the High Court.

Also in the document

• The judgment is marked as 'REPORTABLE'.
• The Court noted that the prosecution's case relied heavily on a WhatsApp message sent between two witnesses (PW-5 and PW-6) and a disclosure statement by the appellant.
• The Court observed that witnesses PW-5 and PW-6 denied knowledge of the incident or sending/receiving the specific incriminating messages during their trial depositions.
• The Court noted that the deceased's parents admitted there was no dispute or animosity between the appellant and the deceased.