2024 INSC 905
Criminal Appeal No. 122 of 2013 Page 1 of 29
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 122 OF 2013
VIJAYA SINGH & ANR. ….APPELLANT(S)
VERSUS
STATE OF UTTARAKHAND ….RESPONDENT(S)
J U D G M E N T
SATISH CHANDRA SHARMA, J.
1. In April, 2002, Devaki got married to Vijaya Singh. More
than an year after the wedding, on the fateful day of 14.09.2023,
Devaki died an unnatural death at the house of her in-laws. Vijaya
Singh, appellant no. 1 herein, was accused of murdering her
along with his mother, namely Basanti Devi, appellant no. 2
herein. The case was registered as FIR No. 04/2003 at PS R.P.
Jakholi, Rudraprayag, District Garhwal, Uttarakhand. After the
conclusion of investigation and trial, the Trial Court found the
appellants guilty. In appeal, the High Court of Uttarakhand also
found them guilty and upheld the decision of the Trial Court. The
Criminal Appeal No. 122 of 2013 Page 2 of 29
appellants, by way of instant appeal, have assailed the Judgment
and Order dated 29.08.2012 passed by the High Court of
Uttarakhand at Nainital in Criminal Appeal No. 148 of 2004,
whereby the said appeal preferred by the appellants was
dismissed.
2. The appellant No.1 happened to be the husband and the
appellant No.2 happened to be the mother-in-law of the deceased
Devaki. After the incident, the FIR was registered at t...