Supreme Court of India · 1954-04-22
RONALD WOOD MATHAMS vs STATE OF WEST BENGAL(With connected Appeals)
- Citation / case number
- SC 1952/19
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Petitioner
- RONALD WOOD MATHAMS
- Respondent
- STATE OF WEST BENGAL(With connected Appeals)
- Bench
- MAHAJAN, MEHAR CHAND (CJ),DAS, SUDHI RANJAN,BHAGWATI, NATWARLAL H.,JAGANNADHADAS, B.,AIYYAR, T.L. VENKATARAMA
Judgment text excerpt
The Supreme Court ruled that the absence of a reasonable opportunity for the accused to present defense evidence, as mandated by Section 257 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, constitutes a violation of the right to a fair trial. The Court emphasized that procedural rules designed to ensure justice must be strictly adhered to, and any breach thereof undermines the integrity of the trial process. Consequently, the convictions of the appellants were set aside due to this procedural lapse.