In a recent development, the Rajasthan High Court has emphasized the formidable challenge that the prosecution faces in furnishing concrete evidence to establish an illicit relationship. This observation was made within the context of the case titled "State of Rajasthan vs Iqbal Abdul Rehman," wherein Justices Vijay Bishnoi and Rajendra Prakash Soni upheld the acquittal of a woman and her alleged paramour who were accused of being involved in the murder of the woman's mother-in-law.
The Court astutely noted that an illicit relationship is typically shrouded in secrecy, concealed from public view, and known to only a select few. Often driven by concerns of preserving family honor and societal approval, individuals tend to keep such matters discreet. Given this inherent nature of illicit relationships, the Court highlighted that the task of presenting direct evidence is nearly insurmountable for the prosecution, necessitating reliance on witness testimonies.
The bench further delineated the distinction between an illicit relationship and ordinary social interactions, underscoring that the former represents a far more advanced stage of intimacy, far beyond casual interactions or neighborly exchanges.
The case under consideration pertained to an appeal filed by the State, contesting the acquittal of Iqbal Abdul Rehman and Bhagwanti Babu Lal Jain, both accused of the murder of Bhagwanti's mother-in-law. The prosecution's narrative rested on the premise of an illicit relationship between Abdul and Bhagwanti, which allegedly led to a confrontation with the deceased.
Crucially, the prosecution's case rested on the statements of witnesses, primarily neighbors of the deceased. These witnesses attested to having observed Abdul and Bhagwanti together on numerous occasions, as Abdul had established a video parlour adjacent to Bhagwanti's residence. The prosecution argued that Bhagwanti's husband's absence due to work in Bombay may have contributed to her alleged extramarital involvement with Abdul.
Upon a meticulous examination of the evidence, the bench determined that the available material merely outlined a vague sketch of the purported relationship between Iqbal and Bhagwanti. The Court held that there existed no substantive proof of an immoral liaison and dismissed the credibility of the witnesses' statements in this regard. Moreover, the Court found no indication of any animosity between the deceased and Bhagwanti or Iqbal due to their alleged connection.
Citing contradictions and inconsistencies in the testimonies, the bench concluded that the prosecution's evidence did not inspire confidence. Thus, the Court reasoned that the alleged illicit relationship and its purported role as a motive for the murder remained unsubstantiated beyond reasonable doubt.
Consequently, the Rajasthan High Court upheld the acquittal of the accused parties, deeming the prosecution's failure to convincingly prove the alleged illicit relationship or its potential influence on the crime. The State was represented by Public Prosecutor BR Bishnoi, while Advocates Sunil Mehta, Shivani Mutha, and SD Purohit appeared on behalf of the accused individuals.
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TAGS: Rajasthan High Court prosecution evidence illicit relationship witness statements acquittal woman alleged lover mother-in-law murder case Justices Vijay Bishnoi Rajendra Prakash Soni concealment public gaze societal disapproval advanced stage intimacy social relations neighbors criminal appeal State of Rajasthan vs Iqbal Abdul Rehman grudge extramarital affair witnesses video parlour credibility contradiction animosity motive unsubstantiated reasonable doubt Public Prosecutor BR Bishnoi Advocates Sunil Mehta Shivani Mutha SD Purohit.
