PREM PARKASH vs STATE Advocate - ADD.P.P. — 33/2023

Summary In Criminal Appeal 33/2023, the Additional Sessions Judge, Jayal (Nagaur) acquitted and discharged appellant Prem Prakash of charges under Section 19/54(k) of the Rajasthan Excise Act, setting aside the lower court's conviction and 3-year imprisonment sentence with ₹20,000 fine. The court found that the prosecution failed to establish "beyond reasonable doubt" that the appellant was involved in illegal liquor transportation. Key deficiencies included: no FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) report confirming the seized liquid was alcohol; no physical evidence presented in court; contradictory witness statements regarding seizure details; appellant's absence from the crime scene; and conviction based solely on vehicle registration ownership, which is insufficient. The court emphasized that mere vehicle ownership cannot prove the appellant's knowledge or involvement in the offense. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.