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Manikandan vs. State by the Inspector of Police

Not available · 2024 INSC 272Decided 5 Apr 2024
Not available
Justice Abhay S. Oka · Justice Pankaj Mithal

Background

Two accused were convicted of murder for the killing of a young man after a dispute over an undelivered food order (idlis). The prosecution's case rested on the testimony of five witnesses, all close relatives of the deceased, and both the trial court and the High Court had convicted the accused and confirmed a life sentence.

Decision Breakdown

The Supreme Court found that one of the prosecution's key witnesses admitted in cross-examination that she and other witnesses had been called to the police station the day before their court testimony and were "taught" how to depose, meaning they had been tutored by the police. Because all five eyewitnesses were closely related to the deceased and other available independent witnesses were never examined, the Court held their evidence unreliable and gave the accused the benefit of the doubt, acquitting both appellants after they had already spent over ten years in custody. The Court also directed Tamil Nadu's police to investigate the officers responsible for tutoring the witnesses.

Lesson Learnt

A conviction cannot stand on the testimony of witnesses who were coached by the police before testifying, especially when independent eyewitnesses were available but never called. Courts must scrutinize both the relationship of witnesses to the case and any signs of tutoring before relying on their evidence.

Official source (sci.gov.in)View Judgment (PDF)

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