MOHAN CHANDRA PUJARI @ MANOJ KUMAR PANDE vs STATE OF UTTARANCHAL — Crl.A. No. 450/2005

Case Summary: Crl.A. No. 450/2005 Outcome: The Supreme Court allowed the criminal appeal on 26 October 2010, acquitting appellant Mohan Chandra Pujari of murder charges and setting aside the High Court and Trial Court judgments. The Court found material inconsistencies in witness testimonies regarding the death of Rekha—one witness claimed the appellant set her on fire with oil/petrol, while her dying declaration mentioned four persons burnt her, and another witness stated a kerosene lamp accidentally fell on her. Applying the "benefit of doubt" principle, the Court concluded the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The appellant's bail bonds were discharged. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.