Supreme Court of India · 2008-07-30
GHUREY LAL vs STATE OF U.P.
- Citation / case number
- SC 2005/27508
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Petitioner
- GHUREY LAL
- Respondent
- STATE OF U.P.
- Author
- Dalveer Bhandari
- Bench
- R.V. RAVEENDRAN,DALVEER BHANDARI, , ,
Judgment text excerpt
The Supreme Court reversed the High Court's decision convicting the accused of murder, emphasizing that appellate courts must exercise caution when overturning acquittals. The Court reiterated that the presumption of innocence is bolstered by an acquittal, and an appellate court should only reverse such a decision with 'very substantial and compelling reasons.' The Court restored the trial court's acquittal, finding that the High Court failed to properly weigh the trial court's assessment of witness credibility and the evidence presented.