PAWAN KUMAR vs STATE OF CHHATTISGARH — Crl.A. No. 1313/1999

Summary of Crl.A. No. 001313/1999 – Pawan Kumar v. State of Chhattisgarh Outcome: The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, set aside Pawan Kumar's conviction for murder (Section 302 IPC) and life sentence, and acquitted him. His bail bonds and sureties were discharged. Reasoning: The Court found the prosecution failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt based on circumstantial evidence alone. Critical gaps included: no eyewitness to the alleged crime; strong motive established against the wife (who remarried within 15 days) rather than the appellant; and evidence showing the appellant loved his infant daughter. The court applied the settled principle that when two views are possible, one favoring the accused must be accepted. Date: September 15, 2005 This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.