In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal of a convict serving life imprisonment for the murder of his wife, underscoring the pivotal role of courts in trials. Emphasizing that courts are not mere recorders of witness testimonies but must actively seek truth and serve justice, the bench, led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI), stressed the duty of judges to oversee proceedings to ensure fairness.
The CJI highlighted the need for vigilant monitoring, particularly in cases where the prosecution exhibits negligence or lethargy. The court asserted that political considerations should have no bearing on appointments to government legal positions, emphasizing the importance of merit, integrity, and independence in appointees.
The Supreme Court’s decision upheld the Delhi High Court’s affirmation of the life sentence imposed by a lower court in 1995. Notably, the sole witness in the case was the convict’s five-year-old daughter, who later recanted her statement.
The judgment criticized the prosecution for its lackluster approach, noting the failure to adequately cross-examine witnesses and present contradictory evidence. The court urged trial judges to proactively gather evidence, invoking relevant provisions of the Evidence Act and the Criminal Procedure Code.
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Additionally, the court drew attention to the challenges prosecutors face in cases involving domestic violence, where familial ties often hinder testimony. Such cases, it noted, require careful consideration under Section 106 of the Evidence Act.
In sum, the Supreme Court’s ruling underscores the judiciary’s commitment to impartiality, diligence, and the pursuit of truth in delivering justice.
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