Raj Pal Singh v. Rajveer & Ors.; 2025 INSC 1442 - Criminal Trial - Appeal Against Acquittal

Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 - Section 378,386- There must exist “substantial and compelling reasons” to upset the acquittal. Once the court acquits the accused, the presumption of innocence is reinforced. Thereafter, the interference by the appellate court would be minimal and has to be guided by strong and cogent reasons. Reversal of acquittal should not be a matter of course just because the other view is considered to be possible by the appellate court. Even when the appellate court re-appreciates the evidence while dealing with the judgment and order of acquittal, the innocence attributed to the accused acquitted from the charges of offences would be a weighty rebuttable factor.(Para 9.2)

Criminal Trial - The guilt of the accused and the commission of the offence by the accused have to be established beyond reasonable doubt. The circumstances should suggest “must or should” and not “may be”. (Para 9)