Relying on the “last seen theory”, corroborated by the recovery of quilt covers used for strangulation and the motive linking the accused to the crime, a local court here has convicted a man in a murder case based on the circumstantial evidence.
The convict was sentenced to life imprisonment and slapped a fine of ₹2,000, earlier this week.
Sessions Judge Ravi Kumar Sondhi said there was a complete link of circumstances from the time the victim accompanied the accused till the recovery of the body the next morning.
“The prosecution has successfully proved its case. It has been proved that the accused had murdered the victim by strangulation,” said the judge.
The case pertained to the murder of Dular Chand (28) who was found dead in a drain on Chandu-Badli Road on November 28, 2016.
The accused, Kailash alias Kallu, was last seen with Dular and was arrested after the victim’s family raised suspicion against him.
Three circumstances
During arguments, Public Prosecutor Anurag Hooda placed reliance mainly on three circumstances: the last seen evidence; the recovery of the pieces of cloth which were used for strangulation; and evidence of motive behind the murder.
Mr. Sondhi observed that the accused had failed to furnish any explanation on the incriminating evidence associated with him, despite being provided opportunity during examination under Section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code and at the time of furnishing defence evidence.
Extramarital affair
He said the accused had failed to offer any explanation to the testimony of Harish Chand, who had seen him going to his room with the victim, along with the motive for falsely implicating him.
The accused allegedly had an extramarital affair with the victim’s wife, said the prosecution.