MUMBAI
The Bombay high court recently upheld a life term handed to a 25-year-old man from Pune for murdering his 14-year-old cousin. While doing so, it observed that if the prosecution is able to provide overwhelming evidence completing the chain of circumstances despite being unable to establish a motive behind the offence, the case still stands and the accused is not given the benefit of doubt.
A division bench of Justice P V Hardas and Justice Anuja Prabhudessai upheld the conviction of Ajay Kondekar for murdering his first cousin. "In light of such overwhelming evidence, according to us, failure of the prosecution to prove motive, by itself, would not be fatal to the prosecution case," said the bench.
According to the police, on April 24, 2007, the minor and her friend had gone to school to collect their mark sheets. Kondekar was waiting for his cousin in his auto at the gate. The girl had left with him, after which she went missing.
On April 30, the victim's mother registered a case of kidnapping against the Kondekar, after which he was arrested. During the investigation, he showed the police the spot near the banks of the Mulshi dam where he allegedly killed the victim and then set her body on fire. The police recovered a half-burnt body and clothes with traces of insecticide.
During the trial, the prosecution examined 9 witnesses to prove the case against Kondekar. However, the accused denied all charges. After examining the evidence, the session's court convicted Kondekar in 2012. This order was challenged by him in high court.
The HC bench, after hearing the pleas made by the defence and the prosecution, observed, "The deceased was in the company of the appellant alone who could commit the murder. The finding of insecticide on the hair of the deceased would certainly rule out voluntary consumption of the insecticide. There is no evidence on record to remotely indicate that the deceased would voluntarily consume it to commit suicide. Moreover, the burn marks show that they were post-mortem, thus the body was set ablaze after the victim had died to destroy evidence." Accordingly, the appeal was dismissed.
Swiggy's next BIG step, set to challenge Mukesh Ambani ahead of IPO, collects Rs...
Amid divorce rumours, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai set to reunite for...
J-K Assembly passes resolution seeking restoration of special status of erstwhile state
CAT Admit Card 2024 RELEASED: Step-by-step guide to download from iimcat.ac.in
Kiki Hakansson, the first ever Miss World, passes away at 95
This company surpasses Apple as world's biggest company, it's market cap is Rs...
IPL 2025: Mitchell Starc breaks his silence on not being retained by KKR, says, 'I still have not…'
J-K: Encounter breaks out between security forces, terrorists in Kupwara
‘Our relationship with US…’: EAM S Jaishankar on US Presidential Election 2024 Results
Delhi-NCR AQI: No relief from pollution, Delhi air quality remains 'very poor'
Dev Diwali 2024: Dates, significance, how to celebrate, everything you need to know
Israel PM Netanyahu fires Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over 'lack of trust'
Swiggy IPO opens today, aims to garner Rs 11327 crore: Check price band, lot size and more
Raftaar breaks silence on his feud with Honey Singh: 'Aapas mein toh kuch bhi ho sakta hai but...'
DNA TV Show: How US Presidential election results may impact the world
Sharda Sinha dies at 72: Who are there in her family?
Who was Sharda Sinha aka Bihar Kokila, famous for Chhath and Maine Pyar Kiya songs?
Mortal remains of Sharda Sinha being taken to Patna for last rites
Parliament's winter session to begin from Nov 25, to continue till Dec 20
IPL 2025 mega auction dates announced: Check no. of players, venue, where to watch and more
Amid divorce rumours with Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai’s ‘1 million dollars’ comment goes viral
Deepinder Goyal reveals customers' reaction to wife Grecia Munoz delivering Zomato orders
Infosys founder Narayana Murthy flirts with Sudha Murty in viral video from Kapil Sharma show
Ajay Devgn's fans don't want Singham Again to become a blockbuster: 'Rohit Shetty jab tak hai...'
Types, Most Popular and Where to Buy Peptides for Bodybuilding
Luxury in the City of Light: SABO Boutique Hotel Brings Elegance to Varanasi’s Sacred Ghats
Virat Kohli, Babar Azam could play for same team as Afro-Asia Cup set for revival
Shaping the Future of Web Apps: Full Stack Developer’s Expertise in API Design and Cloud Deployment
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Software Performance and Security
Mastering Linux for Superior Sound
Amid divorce rumours of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, Aaradhya praises mother in viral video
AI in Data Warehousing: Future Trends and Innovations
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio IPO worth Rs 840960 crore in 2025: All you need to know
After India's 0-3 loss against New Zealand, Shah Rukh Khan calls Gautam Gambhir...
BIG revelation on Imane Khelif, Olympic gold medallist boxer's medical repot leaked, it confirms…
Meet man who built Rs 152000 crore company, donated Rs 100 crore, now set to lead US firm as...
Visa Uncertainty: Impact of US polls on global talent
Virat Kohli turns 36: IPL franchises send heartwarming birthday wishes to legendary India cricketer
Meet Sanjay Verma, the new DGP of Maharashtra who replaced Rashmi Shukla
Virat Kohli birthday: Anushka Sharma shares first photo of son Akaay and daughter Vamika
CAT 2024 admit card to be out today at iimcat.ac.in; know release time, steps to download
Vikas Divyakirti UPSC Tips: Check strategy to crack IAS exam, aspirants should study for...
Video of Pakistani man putting hand into chained tiger's mouth goes viral, social media reacts
Shalini Passi reveals her husband's connection to Shah Rukh Khan's wife Gauri Khan, they were..
SC upholds validity of UP madrassa law, says it does not violate principle of secularism
US Presidential Elections 2024: What time do the polls close; when will the results be known?