State of Rajasthan v. Hanuman, 2025

The Accused Hanuman charged with murder of Chotu Lal on the night of March 1-2, 2007.

The FIR originally registered against unknown persons; Hanuman implicated later based on suspicion and circumstantial evidence.

The Evidence included recovery of a blood-stained weapon and an FSL report showing blood group on the weapon matched the deceased’s blood group (B+ve).

It was Alleged that motive was the accused’s interest in the deceased’s wife.

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s acquittal of the accused.

It was Held that mere recovery of a blood-stained weapon with the victim’s blood group is not sufficient to prove guilt.

The prosecution failed to establish a complete chain of evidence.

The alleged motive was found to be vague and not sufficiently proved.

Interference in appeals against acquittal is only justified if the evidence excludes innocence and points conclusively to guilt.

It emphasizes the principle that circumstantial evidence must form a complete and unbroken chain to convict.

It clarifies that forensic evidence alone, such as blood group matching, cannot sustain conviction without corroboration.

It reinforces the high standard of proof in criminal cases to avoid wrongful convictions.

It affirms that motive alone, especially if vague, cannot establish guilt.

It aligns with prior precedent from Raja Naykar v. State of Chhattisgarh (2024).