PRAKASH PUNDALIK PATIL vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA — Crl.A. No. 665/2005

Case Summary: Prakash Pundalik Patil v. State of Maharashtra (Crl.A. 665/2005) The Supreme Court allowed appellant Prakash's appeal and set aside the High Court's conviction under Section 302 IPC (murder), restoring the trial court's conviction under Section 307 IPC (attempt to murder) with life imprisonment. The Court found the High Court incorrectly appreciated witness testimony—two key witnesses never mentioned Prakash causing injury, and the sole corroborating witness's allegation of axe wounds contradicted medical evidence showing no incised wounds on the victim's back, making the murder conviction unjustifiable. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.