Jagran correspondent, New Delhi. The Delhi High Court has upheld a sessions court's 2014 order acquitting an accused in a robbery case, saying the appellate court can intervene only when the findings of the trial court are perverse or contrary to law.
Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri was hearing the prosecution's appeal challenging the acquittal order passed in November 2014. Underlining the principle of double presumption of innocence, the High Court said that the trial court's decision was based on solid arguments and evidence.
The court said that it is a settled principle of law that in appeals filed against acquittal, the appellate court should exercise utmost restraint and interfere only when the findings of the trial court are clearly erroneous or arbitrary.
The High Court clarified that the double presumption of innocence applies at two levels. First, the basic principle of criminal jurisprudence is that any person is considered innocent until proven guilty and second, when an accused is acquitted by the court, this presumption of his innocence becomes stronger.
Agreeing with the findings of the trial court, the High Court said that Delhi Police failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt. The court rejected the prosecution's appeal, saying the acquittal order was possible, logical and supported by evidence.
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