SC Acquits 4 Accused In 2009 Murder Case; Cites Unreliable Evidence

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Supreme Court has acquitted all four accused in a 2009 murder case in Madhya Pradesh, overturning the judgments of the Indore High Court and the Additional Sessions Judge, Mhow. The apex court found the prosecution's evidence unreliable and highlighted delays in recording witness statements.

Earlier, SC had suspended sentences of three accused—Arun, Narendra and Radheshyam—ordering their conditional release.

The court questioned the prosecution’s reliance on a 12-bore country-made pistol recovered from Arun, as no bullets were retrieved from the victim Mohan Singh’s body, nor was there evidence of an exit wound. Mohan Singh was murdered on November 6, 2009.

Five men—Arun, Radheshyam, Narendra, Abhay Singh and Ramlal—were named in the FIR. The trial court convicted and sentenced them to life imprisonment under Section 302 IPC, read with Section 34 IPC.

Upon appeal, the Indore High Court acquitted Abhay Singh but upheld the conviction of the other four. However, the Supreme Court, citing inconsistencies and lack of credible evidence, has now acquitted all the remaining accused.