When no one seen the occurrence, the motive has an important role to play- Supreme Court

Case Title : Shatrughan v State of Chattisgarh

Case No: Criminal Appeal No. 437 of 2016

Bench: Hon’ble Vikram Nath, J.

While hearing an appeal for murder, the Hon’ble Apex Court has observed that once there is no eye-witness of the incident the prosecution will have to establish a motive for the commission of the crime inasmuch as in a case of direct evidence, motive may not have a major role.

While acquitting the accused in the instant case Hon’ble Vikram Nath, J., observed that the defense has been successful in making a serious dent in the prosecution case, if there is no motive setup or proved and there are direct eye-witnesses, motive may loose its importance but in the present case as admittedly no one has seen the occurrence, the motive has an important role to play.

Read the judgement here: 15420_2015_12_1501_45213_Judgement_20-Jul-2023 Shatrughan v State of Chattisgarh