The Supreme Court on January 28, 2025, canceled the Uttarakhand High Court’s decision, which had sentenced three policemen to life imprisonment in a 2004 woman’s murder case. The bench included Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih. They heard appeals challenging the December 2012 High Court ruling.

Background of the Case

In November 2004, a woman died during police firing. The lower court had initially acquitted the three policemen — Surendra Singh, Surat Singh, and Ashad Singh Negi. However, the High Court overturned this decision and sentenced them to life imprisonment.

Another policeman, Jagdish Singh, who actually fired the shot, was found guilty by the lower court and sentenced to life imprisonment. He also filed an appeal against the High Court ruling, but the case was closed on January 16, 2025, as he had passed away.

Supreme Court’s Decision

The Supreme Court found that the prosecution failed to provide evidence showing that the three accused shared the same intention as Jagdish Singh.

The court stated, “As per the established legal principle, for someone to be convicted under Section 34 of the IPC (common intention), the prosecution must prove prior planning or agreement.” The High Court had ruled that sitting in the same vehicle with Jagdish Singh was enough evidence to convict the accused under Section 34.

However, the Supreme Court disagreed and overturned the High Court’s decision, setting the three policemen free.