2020 Murder Case Acquittal uphold by Jaipur High Court, Complainant’s Appeal Dismissed

Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court, Jaipur Bench, has dismissed an appeal challenging the acquittal of a woman accused of murdering her mother-in-law, holding that the prosecution had failed to establish her guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Mahendar Kumar Goyal and Justice Bhuwan Goyal delivered the judgment on October 7, 2026, in D.B. Criminal Appeal No. 317/2026, filed by complainant Bhanwarlal against the acquittal of Reena Sharma.

The case arose from an incident dated January 27, 2020, involving the death of Munni Devi. The complainant alleged that the accused had assaulted the deceased with a rolling pin and caused her death by striking her head against a wall. An FIR was registered at Harmada Police Station, Jaipur, under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code.

The trial court, by its judgment dated May 18, 2026, acquitted the accused after extending the benefit of doubt. The complainant subsequently challenged the acquittal before the Rajasthan High Court.

While examining the evidence, the High Court noted that the prosecution case was based entirely on circumstantial evidence, with no eyewitness to the incident. The Bench observed that the CCTV footage relied upon by the prosecution had not been adequately proved, as the relevant witnesses were not examined and the evidentiary requirements concerning the electronic record were not satisfactorily established.

The Court also highlighted discrepancies concerning the alleged recovery of a rolling pin and scissors, the absence of fingerprint evidence, and the lack of injuries on the deceased’s head in the post-mortem report to support the prosecution’s specific allegation regarding the manner of assault.

Referring to the principles governing appeals against acquittal, including the Supreme Court’s ruling in Babu Sahebagouda Rudragoudar v. State of Karnataka, the Bench reiterated that an appellate court should not interfere where the trial court’s view is a reasonably possible one. An acquittal strengthens the presumption of innocence, and interference is justified only in limited circumstances, including perversity or material misappreciation of evidence.

Finding no legal or factual error in the trial court’s judgment, the High Court dismissed the appeal and upheld the acquittal.

As per the top lawyer in jaipur, The ruling underscores the importance of proving every link in a circumstantial evidence case beyond reasonable doubt, particularly where electronic evidence and alleged recoveries form a crucial part of the prosecution’s case.

Read the complete order here

By Bhuvnesh Kumar Goyal
High Court Advocate in Jaipur