ARUN KUMAR TRIPATHI vs STATE OF U.P. . — Crl.A. No. 279/2000

Case Summary: Crl.A. No. 279/2000 – Arun Kumar Tripathi v. State of U.P. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal on April 26, 2006, setting aside the High Court's acquittal order and restoring the trial court's conviction of three accused (Ram Rekha, Ramakant, and Chouthi) for murder under Section 302/34 IPC with life sentences. The Court found the High Court erred in doubting eyewitness identification based on distance and lighting conditions, and in questioning why witnesses from another village were present. The Court held that witnesses could clearly identify the accused from 50 feet away using torch light, and their presence was natural given they intended to purchase the deceased's buffalo. Bail bonds of the three convicted accused were cancelled, and they were directed to custody within one month to serve remaining sentences. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.