Setting aside a conviction and 10-year sentence under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, the Supreme Court held that the statutory presumption under Sections 29 and 30 does not relieve the prosecution of establishing the foundational facts of its case. On the record, the medical and forensic evidence ruled out the alleged assault and the two doctors’ accounts contradicted each other, so guilt was not proved beyond reasonable doubt. The man was acquitted.
The Supreme Court held that a trust is not a juristic person capable of suing or being sued, and therefore cannot be arrayed as an accused in a criminal case. It directed that proceedings in the IMAP deposit scam not continue against an educational trust, while leaving the prosecution of its trustee and the other accused untouched.
Sanjay Roy was convicted by the Sealdah court for the rape and murder of a female doctor, with Judge Anirban Das presiding over the brief session. Despite claiming innocence and insisting a Rudraksha necklace proved it, evidence from the CBI pointed to his guilt. Sentencing is set for January 22, 2025.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud’s farewell ceremony highlighted his transformative legacy, emphasizing his judicial reforms and embrace of technology. His tenure, marked by progressive rulings on civil liberties like same-sex marriage and privacy, left a significant impact on Indian jurisprudence. Legal peers lauded his approach, while some noted missed opportunities on critical issues.