HARENDRA NARAIN SINGH ETC. vs STATE OF BIHAR

The Supreme Court reiterated that circumstantial evidence must establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt, as per established principles of criminal jurisprudence. It emphasized that if two interpretations of evidence exist—one indicating guilt and the other innocence—the latter must be favored. The Court found that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence linking the appellants to the crime, particularly lacking identification of the deceased and proof of her treatment at the dispensary while alive. Consequently, the Court overturned the convictions of the appellants, holding that the prosecution did not meet its burden of proof.