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Issues:
1. Conviction for murder and sentence of death in a case involving the killing of two women. 2. Application of Criminal Procedure Code in a Part C State where it does not apply but the Indian Evidence Act does. 3. Discovery of the crime scene, evidence collection, and arrest of the accused based on circumstantial evidence. 4. Confession by the accused, subsequent retraction, and the need for corroboration. 5. Evaluation of the confession, corroborative evidence, and witness testimonies. 6. Analysis of the evidence, including forensic findings, witness credibility, and inconsistencies in the case. 7. Judicial determination of doubt and decision to set aside the conviction and release the appellant. Analysis: 1. The Supreme Court heard an appeal involving a murder conviction and death sentence. The case was tried in Manipur, a Part C State where the Criminal Procedure Code does not apply, but the trial followed similar procedures. The appellant's wife and mother-in-law were brutally murdered, leading to the trial without an appellate tribunal in the State. 2. The discovery of the crime scene and subsequent arrest of the appellant were based on witness testimonies and circumstantial evidence, including a hole in the wall and a Khukri scabbard. The police investigation, led by the Sub-Inspector, revealed crucial details linking the appellant to the crime scene and the murder weapon. 3. The confession made by the appellant, detailing his motive and actions, was retracted later. The court emphasized the need for corroboration due to the retraction. The confession described the appellant's grudge, attempted suicide, and actions after the murders, providing incriminating details. 4. The evaluation of the confession, along with corroborative evidence, witness testimonies, and forensic findings, raised doubts about the case. The court scrutinized the confession's reliability, the nature of the injuries, and the inconsistencies in witness statements, particularly regarding the appellant's actions post-murder. 5. Despite the confession and circumstantial evidence, the court found discrepancies and contradictions in the case. Witness credibility, lack of conclusive forensic evidence, and inconsistencies in the appellant's actions post-crime led to doubts about the conviction. Ultimately, the court decided to set aside the conviction and release the appellant due to significant doubts in the case.
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