“In the present case, we find neither the chain of circumstances to have been completely established nor the guilt of the accused alone, having committed the crime to be proven, much less beyond reasonable doubt. This Court has stated essential conditions that must be fulfilled before an accused can be convicted in a case revolving around circumstantial evidence in the landmark case of Sharad Birdhichand Sarda v. State of Mahrashtra, (1984) 4 SCC 116.” Para 29. Prior animosity as motive, extra-judicial confession and recovery of articles belonging to deceased from accused. held, not established. Investigation was also not reliable. Resultantly, considering said infirmities, requisite chain of circumstances, held, not completed against appellant-accused also and, thus, his conviction and sentence set aside.
[Pradeep Kumar v. State of Chhattisgarh, (2023) 5 SCC 350]