High Court of Kerala Affirms Conviction in Wife’s Premeditated Murder: Consistent Chain of Evidence Proves Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt

Kerala High Court dismisses appeal, emphasizing the reliability of circumstantial evidence and forensic reports linking the accused to the crime scene.

In a significant ruling, the High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam has upheld the conviction and sentencing of Biju, the appellant, for the premeditated murder of his wife. The judgment, delivered by a bench comprising Justices P.B. Suresh Kumar and M.B. Snehalatha, affirmed the trial court’s decision, highlighting a consistent chain of circumstantial evidence and forensic corroboration that proved the appellant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Facts of the Case:

The appellant, Biju, was convicted of murdering his wife, following a tumultuous relationship exacerbated by legal actions taken by the victim against him for allegedly molesting their minor daughter. On March 21, 2017, the victim was found in a pool of blood by a relative, suffering from multiple stab wounds. Despite immediate medical attention, she succumbed to her injuries en route to the hospital. The prosecution’s case was built on a combination of eyewitness testimonies, forensic evidence, and circumstantial details linking Biju to the crime.

Court Observations and Views:

Credibility of Circumstantial Evidence:

The High Court meticulously examined the circumstantial evidence presented. Key witnesses, including relatives and neighbors, testified seeing Biju near the crime scene with blood on his body shortly after the incident. The court noted, “The consistent testimonies of witnesses place the appellant at the scene of the crime, corroborating the sequence of events leading to the victim’s death.”

Forensic Evidence:

Forensic analysis played a crucial role in the judgment. The knife (MO1) used in the murder, the appellant’s blood-stained chappals (MO2), and other material objects found at the crime scene were pivotal. The court stated, “The forensic reports linking the bloodstains on the material objects to the appellant provide compelling evidence of his involvement in the crime.”

Witness Testimonies and Identification:

Addressing procedural deficiencies, the court acknowledged lapses in witness identification of the accused in the dock. However, it ruled these non-fatal to the case outcome due to the witnesses’ prior acquaintance with the appellant. “The close familiarity of the witnesses with the appellant mitigates the procedural lapses observed during the trial,” the judgment noted.

Legal Reasoning:

The court emphasized the established principles of circumstantial evidence, noting, “The circumstances proved must be consistent only with the hypothesis of the guilt of the accused and exclude any other possible hypothesis.” The court found that the prosecution successfully established an unbroken chain of events leading to the appellant’s guilt.

Quotes from the Judgment:

Justice P.B. Suresh Kumar remarked, “The consistent chain of circumstantial evidence, supported by forensic reports, conclusively proves the appellant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.”

Conclusion:

The dismissal of Biju’s appeal reinforces the judiciary’s commitment to upholding convictions based on robust circumstantial and forensic evidence. The judgment serves as a significant precedent, emphasizing the importance of a consistent chain of evidence in criminal convictions. This decision underscores the reliability of forensic corroboration in establishing guilt, even when procedural deficiencies in witness testimonies are present.

Date of Decision: July 5, 2024

Biju vs. State of Kerala