Holding

When the prosecution establishes a complete chain of circumstances and the accused fails to provide a truthful explanation of facts within his special knowledge, the failure itself becomes an additional link that justifies conviction for murder under Section 302 IPC.

Summary

The appellant, Md. Anowar Hussain, was convicted by the Sessions Court and the Gauhati High Court for murdering his wife, Samina Begum, based on circumstantial evidence and a post‑mortem report showing asphyxia due to throttling. The appellant claimed the victim died of an illness in hospital and that he had left home to obtain medicines, but offered no corroborative evidence and his explanations were found false. The prosecution established a chain of circumstances: the victim lived with the appellant, was found dead with injuries inconsistent with a hospital death, the appellant was absent from the house, and the inquest and post‑mortem reports were signed by witnesses. The Supreme Court applied the principles governing circumstantial evidence and Section 106 of the Evidence Act, holding that the appellant’s failure to explain facts within his special knowledge, coupled with false statements, added a decisive link to the chain of circumstances. Consequently, the Court found the prosecution’s case proved beyond reasonable doubt and dismissed the appeal.

Issues considered

The adequacy of circumstantial evidence to sustain a conviction for murder under Section 302 IPC.
Whether the appellant’s failure to explain facts within his special knowledge under Section 106 of the Evidence Act constitutes an additional link in the chain of circumstances.
Whether the lack of motive or the appellant’s alibi claim affects the conviction.
The relevance of the private witnesses' testimony that the victim died of illness in hospital.

Legislation cited

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973s. 313
Indian Evidence Act, 1872s. 106
Indian Penal Code, 1860s. 120-B, s. 302, s. 498-A

Subjects

murdercircumstantial evidenceSection 106 Evidence Actburden of prooflife imprisonmentappealspecial leavepost‑mortem reportalibi

Judgment

[2022] 18 S.C.R. 721 721

MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN A
v.
STATE OF ASSAM
(Criminal Appeal No. 414 of 2019)
OCTOBER 13, 2022 B
[DINESH MAHESHWARI AND ANIRUDDHA BOSE, JJ.]
Penal Code, 1860 – s.302 – Circumstantial Evidence –
Evidence Act, 1872 – s.106 – Appellant was held guilty of the offence
u/s.302 for murder of his wife and was awarded the punishment of
C
imprisonment for life – On appeal, held: Victim was none other
than the wife of the appellant and was living with him – Thus, the
basic fact as to when did he part with the company of his wife was
within the knowledge of the appellant alone however, he explained
nothing in that regard – When the appellant’s wife was found killed
with the dead body carrying several injuries and the cause of death D
having been asphyxia due to throttling, the appellant was required
to explain such injuries, which the deceased sustained while living
with him in the same dwelling house – Again, there was no
explanation from him – If his wife, who was residing with him, had
been so ill as to be taken to hospital, the facts in that regard were
E
also especially within the knowledge of the appellant and he was
required to explain the nature of ailment as also the mode and manner
by which she was admitted to the hospital – But, there was no
explanation on these aspects from the appellant – Further, if his
wife had died and still he had gone to some other place, the reason
for doing so was also especially within the knowledge of the F
appellant alone – The reason as assigned by him (about his own
illness) is found to be far away from truth – Prosecution has
discharged its primary burden of bringing home cogent
circumstances pointing towards the guilt of the appellant – All the
facts and factors, which ought to be in the knowledge of the
G
appellant, are either not clarified or the explanation given by the
appellant turns out to be false – Hence, such omission coupled with
falsehood indeed provide additional links in the chain of
circumstances – The falsehood cooked up by the witnesses
(regarding illness and hospitalisation of the victim) and readily
H
721
722 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A accepted by the appellant coupled with the undischarged burden
of s.106 of the Evidence Act provide such strong links in this matter
that the chain of circumstances is complete, leading to the conclusion
on the guilt of the appellant beyond any doubt – Concurrent findings
do not call for interference in this case – Constitution of India –
Article 136.
B
Trimukh Maroti Kirkan v. State of Maharashtra (2006)
10 SCC 681 : [2006] 7 Suppl. SCR 156; Sharad
Birdhichand Sarda v. State of Maharashtra (1984) 4
SCC 116 : [1985] 1 SCR 88; Balaji Gunthu Dhule v.
State of Maharashtra (2012) 11 SCC 685 : [2012]
C 7 SCR 577; Nagendra Sah v. State of Bihar (2021) 10
SCC 725; Gargi v. State of Haryana (2019) 9 SCC 738
: [2019] 13 SCR 1; Shivaji Chintappa Patil v. State of
Maharashtra (2021) 3 SCALE 384 : (2021)
5 SCC 626; Satye Singh & Anr. v. State of Uttarakhand
D (2022) 3 SCALE 534 : (2022) 5 SCC 438; Anwar Ali
and Anr. v. State of Himachal Pradesh (2020) 10 SCC
166 : [2020] 9 SCR 878; Jose Alias Pappachan v. Sub-
Inspector of Police, Koyilandy and Anr. (2016) 10 SCC
519 : [2016] 8 SCR 115; Sarwan Singh v. State of
Punjab AIR 1957 SC 637 : [1957] SCR 953; Trimuk
E Maroti Kirkan v. State of Maharashtra (2006) 10 SCC
681 : [2006] 7 Suppl. SCR 156; Alber Oraon v. State
of Jharkhand (2014) 12 SCC 306 : [2014] 9 SCR 330;
Sudru v. State of Chhattisgarh (2019) 8 SCC 333;
Ujjagar Singh v. State of Punjab (2007) 13 SCC 90 :
F [2007] 13 SCR 653; Vivek Kalra v. State of Rajasthan
(2014) 12 SCC 439 : [2013] 1 SCR 1070; Pappu v.
The State of Uttar Pradesh (2022) SCC OnLine SC
176; Hanumant v. State of Madhya Pradesh AIR 1952
SC 343 : [1952] SCR 1091; Sabitri Samantaray v. State
of Odisha (2022) SCC OnLine SC 673 - referred to.
G
Case Law Reference
[2006] 7 Suppl. SCR 156 referred to Para 8.2
[1985] 1 SCR 88 referred to Para 9.5
[2012] 7 SCR 577 referred to Para 9.5
H
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 723

[2019] 13 SCR 1 referred to Para 9.6 A
(2021) 5 SCC 626 referred to Para 9.6
[2020] 9 SCR 878 referred to Para 9.7
[2016] 8 SCR 115 referred to Para 9.8
[1957] SCR 953 referred to Para 9.8 B
[2006] 7 Suppl. SCR 156 referred to Para 10.2
[2014] 9 SCR 330 referred to Para 10.4
[2007] 13 SCR 653 referred to Para 10.5
[2013] 1 SCR 1070 referred to Para 10.5
C
[1952] SCR 1091 referred to Para 12.1
(2021) 10 SCC 725 referred to Para 9.5
(2019) 8 SCC 333 referred to Para 12.8
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Criminal Appeal No.
414 of 2019. D
From the Judgment and Order dated 19.08.2016 of the High Court
of Gauhati at Gauhati in Criminal Appeal (J) No. 100 of 2013.
S. Mahendran, Adv. for the Appellant.
Shuvodeep Roy, Ishaan Borthakyr, Advs. for the Respondent.
E
The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.
Table of Contents*
Preliminary and brief outline ................................................ 2
F
Relevant factual and background aspects ........................... 6
Prosecution Evidence ............................................................. 8
Stand of the appellant .......................................................... 14
Trial Court found the appellant guilty and awarded
life imprisonment .................................................................. 15 G
High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the appellant .. 21
Rival Submissions ................................................................. 23
The scope and width of these appeals ................................ 30
*Ed. Note : Pagination in the Table of contents is as per the original Judgment H
724 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A The principles applicable to this case ................................ 31
Concurrent findings do not call for interference in this
case ........................................................................................ 43
Preliminary and brief outline
B 1. This appeal is directed against the judgment and order dated
19.08.2016 in Criminal Appeal No. 100 (J) of 2013, whereby the Gauhati
High Court dismissed the appeal against the judgment and order dated
18.07.2013/25.07.2013, as passed by the Court of Sessions, Goalpara in
Sessions Case No. 96 of 2012, whereby the appellant was held guilty of
C the offence under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, 18601 and was
awarded the punishment of imprisonment for life and fine of Rs.5,000/-
with default stipulations.
2. Before dealing with the matter in necessary details, we may
draw a brief outline to indicate the contours of the forthcoming discussion.
D 2.1. The prosecution case, based on circumstantial evidence, has
been that the victim, being the 20-year-old wife of appellant, died on
22.10.2010 while residing with the appellant; and that her dead body
was brought to the police station by her grandfather PW-1 Md. Akbar
Ali, who made an ejahar (Ex. 1) that ever since marriage the deceased
was subjected to physical and mental torture by the appellant, who caused
E
her death by inflicting grievous injuries and his family members were
involved in the conspiracy. As per the report (Ex. 2), in the inquest carried
out at the police station in the presence of informant and other witnesses,
injuries were noticed around the eyes, cheeks and neck of the deceased.
The First Information Report2 was registered for offences pertaining to
F Sections 498-A, 302 and 120-B IPC on the ejahar so made by PW-1 and
the dead body was sent for post-mortem examination. As per the post-
mortem report (Ex. 4), the dead body carried several injuries and the
cause of death had been asphyxia due to throttling.
2.2. It has been the case of prosecution that the appellant was
G absconding after the incident and was arrested two days later, at a distant
place. After investigation, the charge-sheet was filed against the appellant
for the offence punishable under Section 302 IPC whereas the other
accused persons were let off for want of positive evidence. One of the
1
‘IPC’, for short.
2
H ‘FIR’, for short.
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 725
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

peculiar features of the case had been that the private witnesses, PW-1 A
to PW-6, did not support the prosecution and they essentially suggested
that the victim was suffering from illness and died in hospital, where she
was taken for treatment. The appellant himself, in his statement under
Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 19733, endorsed the
statements so made by PW-1 to PW-6 and maintained that his wife died
B
in the hospital. He also stated that he had gone to bring medicines for
himself due to illness and was arrested by the police at Borabara.
2.3. The Trial Court disbelieved the story put forward by the private
witnesses and by the appellant about demise of the victim in hospital,
particularly with reference to the inquest report drawn at the police
station, duly signed by PW-1 to PW-4 and also with reference to the C
other circumstances, as established in the testimony of the Investigating
Officer4 PW-7 Anowar Hussain as also PW-8 Dr. Madhab Kr. Rahang.
The Trial Court also found that the accused-appellant came out with a
false plea of having gone to the other place to get medicines though no
such medicines were found in his pocket; and he failed to explain the D
cause of homicidal death of his wife, who was living with him prior to
her death. Thus, the appellant was held guilty of the offence under Section
302 IPC on the basis of the chain of circumstances proving his guilt and
was awarded the punishment as noted above. The High Court also
proceeded with the considerations that weighed with the Trial Court
while further observing that when the appellant failed to offer proper E
explanation to the incriminating circumstances or the explanation offered
by him was found to be untrue, it became an additional link to complete
the chain of circumstances.
2.4. In challenge to the conviction, it has been essentially contended
on behalf of the appellant that the consistent assertions of witnesses F
PW-1 to PW-6 that the deceased died in hospital due to illness cannot be
ignored, given that they have not been declared hostile or cross-examined
by the prosecution; that the inquest report was unreliable because it was
not proved as to from where the dead body was brought to the police
station; that the date of arrest of the appellant is questionable with G
reference to the overwriting in arrest memo; that the place of incident
has not been proved because the site plan (Ex. 3) was not enclosed with
the charge-sheet; that the medical evidence alone is not decisive of the
3
‘CrPC’, for short.
4
‘IO’, for short. H
726 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A matter; that non-explanation or falsity of explanation as required under
Section 106 of the Indian Evidence Act, 18725, cannot be a ground for
conviction; and that the prosecution has failed to prove motive. On the
other hand, it is contended on behalf of the respondent-State that when
the deceased was the wife of the appellant and they were living together,
burden was heavy upon the appellant to explain the cause of unnatural
B
death of his wife, which he had failed to discharge. It has also been
contended that the appellant was absconding after the incident and was
arrested two days later; and the plea of alibi with reference to his going
to other place for purchasing medicines has not been proved. It has
further been contended that the depositions of PW-1 to PW-6 as regards
C the alleged illness and hospitalisation of the deceased need to be rejected
because of want of corroborative evidence and then, being falsified by
the inquest report drawn at the police station. Thus, according to the
respondent-State, the concurrent findings recorded in this case against
the appellant call for no interference.
D Relevant factual and background aspects
3. With reference to the outline as above and looking to the
questions arising for determination in this appeal, the relevant factual
and background aspects could be noticed, in brief, as follows:
3.1. As per the prosecution case, the deceased Samina Begum
E was married to the appellant about 3 years prior to the date of the incident
and was living with the appellant in village Kursapakhari Part II
(Kumarkhali), falling within the jurisdiction of Police Station, Lakhipur,
District Goalpara, Assam. It has been alleged that on 22.10.2010 at about
4:00 p.m., PW-1 Md. Akbar Ali brought the dead body of Samina Begum
F to the said Police Station, Lakhipur and lodged an ejahar (Ex. 1) stating
that the deceased was the daughter of his nephew and was married to
the appellant but, ever since the marriage, the appellant had been inflicting
physical and mental torture on her; and that day (i.e., on 22.10.2010) at
around 12:00 noon, the appellant assaulted the deceased with lathi and
bare hands, as a result of which she died. It was further stated by the
G informant that the incident was an outcome of the conspiracy hatched
by the appellant along with other accused persons, namely Sanowar
Hussain (brother of the appellant), Rabia Khatun (mother of the appellant),
Zabeda Khatun (sister-in-law of the appellant), and Md. Rajab Ali (relative
of the appellant). On the basis of the ejahar so made by PW-1 Md.
5
H Hereinafter referred to as ‘the Evidence Act’.
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 727
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

Akbar Ali, FIR No. 398 of 2010 was registered at the said Police Station, A
Lakhipur for offences under Sections 498-A, 302, 120-B IPC.
3.2. As per the assertion of the Investigating Officer, PW-7
Anowar Hussain, after registration of FIR, he held the inquest at the
police station where he noticed injuries on the eyes and cheeks as also
on the neck of the deceased; and drew up the inquest report (Ex. 2) in B
the presence of four persons. Thereafter, the dead body of the victim
was sent for post-mortem examination to Civil Hospital, Goalpara. On
23.10.2010, PW-8 Dr. Madhab Kr. Rahang conducted the post-mortem
examination and, in his report Ex. 4, opined that the cause of death had
been asphyxia due to throttling, which was homicidal in nature.
C
3.3. The Investigating Officer, PW-7 Anowar Hussain, asserted
that he visited the place of occurrence and drew the site plan (Ex. 3) but
he did not find the accused-appellant there; and later arrested him on
24.10.2010 at Nidanpur market, away from the place of occurrence.
3.4. After completion of investigation, on 29.06.2011, the charge- D
sheet was filed only against the appellant for the offence under Section
302 IPC while the other persons were let off for want of positive evidence
against them. On 16.03.2012, the case was committed to the Court of
Sessions. The learned Sessions Judge, Goalpara framed the charge under
Section 302 IPC against the accused-appellant who pleaded not guilty
and claimed trial. E

3.5. In evidence, the prosecution examined eight witnesses and
also produced documentary evidence. After the prosecution evidence,
the accused-appellant was examined under Section 313 CrPC on
14.05.2013. The accused-appellant did not lead any evidence. Ultimately,
after having heard the parties, the Trial Court, by its judgment dated F
18.07.2013, convicted the appellant of the offence under Section 302
IPC and then, after having heard the parties on the question of sentence,
by its order dated 25.07.2013, awarded the punishment to the appellant
of life imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 5,000/- with default stipulations.
4. For the purpose of appreciating the findings recorded in this G
case, worthwhile it would be to take note of the salient features of the
prosecution evidence emanating from the relevant depositions and
documents as also the salient features emanating from the stand taken
by the appellant in his examination under Section 313 CrPC.
H
728 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A Prosecution Evidence
5. As noticed, the prosecution has examined eight witnesses in
this case. PW-1 to PW-6 were the private witnesses whereas the IO
was examined as PW-7 and the doctor conducting post-mortem was
examined as PW-8.
B 5.1. As per the prosecution case, PW-1 Md. Akbar Ali, grandfather
of the deceased, had taken her dead body to the police station and made
the ejahar (Ex. 1), on the basis whereof FIR in question came to be
registered. He had also signed the report (Ex. 2) said to have been made
after inquest over the dead body at the police station. He, however,
C came out with a different narrative in his deposition while suggesting
illness and ‘hospitalisation of the deceased. For its relevance, we deem
it appropriate to reproduce the entire of his deposition as follows: -
“Ext. 1 is the Ejahar and Ext. 1(1) is my signature. I know accused
Anowar Hussain, who is present in the dock. Deceased Samina
D Khatun was my granddaughter. She was the daughter of Taher
Ali and the wife of the accused. The incident took place about
2(two) years ago. Samina got married to the accused about 2(two)
years prior to the incident. She had been leading her conjugal life
with her husband in another village. Samina had been suffering
from illness since 10/15 days prior to the incident. One day, all of
E a sudden, I heard that Samina had been taken to hospital. Later I
heard that Samina had died. I only know that she was sick and I
know nothing else. Their relationship as husband and wife was
cordial. Going to Lakhipur Hospital I saw Samina’s dead body.
The Ejahar was written by another person. At that time, I was not
F mentally stable. As I was asked to put my signature, I put my
signature therein accordingly. Later police came and prepared
the inquest report on the dead body. I put my signature on it. Ext.
2 is the inquest report and Ext. 2(1) is my signature. I know these
much only.

G XXXXXXXXXXX
I don’t know who had written the ejahar and what was
written in it. The houses of Kitab, Sahar, Anser etc. are there
near the accused person’s house.”

H
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 729
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

5.1.1. The relevant contents of the ejahar (Ex. 1), admittedly lodged A
by this witness PW-1 Md. Akbar Ali, on the basis whereof FIR in question
came to be registered, could also be usefully reproduced as under: -
“Humble submission is that Must. Samina Begum, daughter
of my nephew Sayed Ali of Kantapur, was married off to Anowar
Hussain of Kursapakhari Part- II (Kumarkhali) village about 3 B
(three) years ago. Since after the marriage accused No. 1 had
been inflicting physical and mental tortures on her. Today, i.e. on
22/10/10, Anowar Hussain confronted Samina Begum inside his
own house and grievously injured her in various parts of the body
by assaulting her with lathi and bare hands, as a result of which
she died. The said incident was the outcome of the conspiracy C
hatched by the below named accused persons. Be it mentioned
herein that the said incident took place at around 12 noon today.
I, therefore, pray to you to take necessary action after
investigating into the matter.”
D
5.2. PW-2 Sofiur Rahman stated that the deceased Samina was
granddaughter of his cousin; that on the relevant day at around 12:00
noon, he heard in the market that Samina had died; and that he went to
the hospital and saw her dead body there.
5.3. PW-3 Barek Ali also stated that the deceased Samina was E
his granddaughter. Though he asserted that he heard about Samina having
died after consuming poison and he went to hospital but, did not deny
one part of the prosecution case that the inquest report (Ex. 2) was
bearing his signature and that after the inquest, the police sent the dead
body for post-mortem examination. Owing to its relevance, the entire of
his deposition could also be reproduced as follows: - F
“I know the complainant Akbar Ali. I know the accused person
present in the dock. Deceased Samina Khatun was the wife of
the accused. The incident took place about 1½ years ago.
I heard that as Samina had fallen sick, she had been taken
G
to hospital. She died there. I went to the hospital. I heard that
Samina had died as she had consumed poison. By the time I
reached the hospital, Samina had died. I know this much only.
Later the complainant, the grandfather of the deceased
lodged an ejahar, whereupon police came. I too went there. Ext.
H
730 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A 2 is the inquest report. Ext. 2(2) is my signature. Thereafter, Police
sent the dead body to the hospital for post-mortem examination.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Deceased Samina was my granddaughter. The house of
the accused is about 1½ k.m. away from that of mine. It is in
B another village. Near the accused person’s house there are houses
of Zafar, Afzal, Sahar and Kader etc. Kader’s house is close by
while those of the rest are a little distance away.”
5.4. PW-4 Sukum Ali also stated in tandem with other witnesses
that Samina died in the hospital but testified to the fact that inquest report
C (Ex. 2) was prepared by the police bearing his signature and then, the
dead body was sent by the police to the hospital for post-mortem
examination. His deposition could also be usefully reproduced as under:-
“I know complainant Akbar Ali. I know accused Anowar who is
present in the dock. The deceased was the wife of the accused.
D The occurrence took place about 2(two) years ago.
Samina died in the hospital. Villagers said that Samina had
been taken to hospital. I went to the hospital and found her dead.
The complainant filed a case in this regard.
Police came and prepared inquest report on the dead body.
E
I put my signature in the inquest report.
Later police sent the dead body to hospital for post mortem
examination. Ext. 2 is the inquest report and Ext. 2(3) is my
signature therein.
F XXXXXXXXXXX
Declined.”
5.5. PW-5 Dilbar Hussain and PW-6 Musstt. Moimma Bewa stated
in their depositions that they heard about Samina having been taken to
hospital and having died in the hospital.
G
5.6. As noticed, the aforesaid witnesses PW-1 to PW-6 deviated
from the prosecution case and asserted that the victim lady fell ill, was
taken to the hospital, and she died in the hospital. However, giving ejahar
(Ex. 1) by PW-1 and holding of inquest at the police station with signatures
of witnesses on the inquest report (Ex. 2) are the facts duly established
H
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 731
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

from the relevant statements. We shall examine these and cognate A
aspects at the relevant stage later.
5.7. At this stage, it would be appropriate to take note of the
entire of the testimony of the Investigating Officer PW-7 Anowar Hussain,
who stated as under: -
“On 22/10/2010, I was on duty in Lakhipur Police Station. On that B
day, upon receipt of an ejahar from one Akbar Ali, the then Officer-
in-charge of Lakhipur Police Station registered a case and
entrusted me with the charge of its investigation. Ext. 1(2) is the
signature of the then O/C of Lakhipur Police Station Kamal
Chandra Seal, which I am familiar with. C
The dead body of Samina Khatun was also brought (to P.S.)
at the time of lodging the Ejahar. The deceased was the wife of
accused Anowar. I held inquest on the dead body. Ext. 2 is the
inquest report and Ext. 2(4) is my signature.
I sent the dead body to Goalpara Civil Hospital for post D
mortem examination.
I visited the place of occurrence and examined the
witnesses. I drew a sketch map of the place of occurrence. Ext.
3 is the said sketch map (under objection) Ext. 3(1) is my signature
(under objection). E
When I went to the place of occurrence I did not find the
accused there. I enquired about him but nobody could say anything.
Later I heard that the accused was roaming at Nidanpur. I went
there and arrested the accused. I apprehended the accused at
Nidanpur market, brought him to the police station and formally F
arrested him on 24/10/2010. Later the accused person was
forwarded to the court.
Thereafter, the post mortem report was collected and on
completion of investigation, I filed the charge sheet against accused
Anowar Hussain for commission of offence punishable u/s 302 G
I.P.C.
Ext. 4 is the said charge sheet and Ext. 4(1) is my signature
therein.

H
732 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A While holding inquest, I saw injuries in the eyes and cheeks.
I also saw injury in the neck of the deceased.
XXXXXXXXXXX
In the inquest report there is no detailed descriptions of the
injuries. The accused was brought (to P.S.) from Nidanpur market.
B The name of the person, who gave the information, is not mentioned
in the diary. The incident took place around 12 noon on 22/10/
2010 and the Ejahar was received at 4 p.m. The place of
occurrence is about 5/6 km away from the police station. One
can come there on foot or by a bicycle.
C At 10 a.m. on 23rd day of the month I went to the place of
occurrence, but there is no specific mention in the case diary as
to how I reached there. H.G. Dilwar Hussain accompanied me.
The complainant brought the dead body along. There is no
specific mention in the case diary as to how it was brought and at
D what time. Ext. 3 was not enclosed with the charge sheet. GD
Entry was made, but no certified copy of the same was enclosed
with the case diary.
I hold inquest in the police station. At the time of inquest 4
(four) persons were present. I brought those persons from the
E road.
The village road is there to the north of the place of
occurrence and beyond that there is a house. It is not mentioned
whose house it is. There is paddy field to the south. There is no
mention as to whose house is there in the further south thereof.
F Abdulla’s house is in the east and a betel nut plantation is there in
the west. There is no mention whose house is there next to that.”
5.8. PW-8 Dr. Madhab Kr. Rahang had conducted the post mortem
and opined that the cause of death was asphyxia as a result of throttling,
which was homicidal in nature. He testified to the post-mortem report
G (Ex. 4) wherein he had reported on the condition of the dead body, inter
alia, as under: -
i) Bleeding from both ears.
ii) Tongue was protruded.

H iii) Multiple petechial haemorrhages in eyes and face.
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 733
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

iv) Crescentic abrasions on both sides of neck. A
v) Bruising and ecchymosis in front of both sides of neck (finger
marks).
vi) Tear of larynx and muscles in front and side of the neck.
vii) Laceration of larynx. B
viii) Both lungs were engorged and congested.
ix) Right heart was distended with blood while left was empty.
x) Petechial haemorrhages in liver, spleen and kidneys.
5.8.1. This witness PW-8 Dr. Madhab Kr. Rahang stated in his C
cross-examination as under: -
“I have not mentioned the number of marks of finger in my post
mortem report. Gristly mark signifies nail mark. Trachea is a
separate part and larynx is a separate part. Trichoid bone has
separate component. I had not dissected cardiac artery. I had D
observed cardiac arteries; but there was no finding record of any
abnormality. If trachea is blocked, then the person may die. Death
may occur in the event of blockade of Vegas nerve. It is not a
fact that without dissection of carotid nerve, it cannot be
ascertained if there was any pressure of the Vegas. I have not
dissected any part of the neck to give the finding. Colour of E
ecchymosis was not mentioned.
It is not a fact that such kind of death may occur by external
force of handle of a tube-well or through falling object on the
neck. It is not a fact that death was not due to strangulation. It is
not a fact that that I have not given proper finding.” F

Stand of the appellant
6. In his examination under Section 313 CrPC, the circumstances
appearing from the evidence led by the prosecution were put to the
appellant. While he denied as false the allegations about his having caused G
the death of his wife Samina and also denied the assertions made by
PW-7, the IO and PW-8, the doctor but then, he specifically stated that
Samina died in hospital and for that matter, stated his agreement with
the assertions made by PW-1 to PW-6. The appellant also stated that he
was arrested at Borabara where he had gone to bring medicines for
H
734 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A himself, as he was ill at that time. The relevant question and answers in
the examination of the accused-appellant under Section 313 CrPC read
as under: -
“*** *** ***

B Q2 PW1 Akbor Ali is the grandfather of the deceased and
according to him Samina your wife was suffering from illness.
On a fine morning he heard that Samina your wife was taken to
hospital Subsequently he came to know that Samina had died in
the Hospital. What do you have to say in this regard?

C Ans: Yes, Samina died at hospital.
Q3 PW2 is Sofior Rahman and in his evidence states that on the
eventful day he went to a weekly market. At noon hour he came
back home and heard Samina your wife had died. He went to the
hospital and had seen the dead-body there. What do you have to
D say in this regard?
Ans: Yes.
Q4 PW 3 is Barek Ali and according to him Samina your wife
was taken to hospital as she fell ill. Subsequently he came to
know that Samina your wife died at hospital. He went to the said
E hospital and had seen the dead-body. What do you have to say in
this regard?
Ans. Yes.
Q5 *** *** ***
F
Q6 *** *** ***
Q7 *** *** ***
Q66 PW7 the IO states that while he visited your house i/c with
this case you were not found there. No body could tell your
G whereabouts. Subsequently he came to knows that you were
roaming at Nijampur the IO went there and arrested you from the
road of Nijampur. What do you have to say in this regard?

6
This question, though number 8 in continuity, has been mentioned as ‘Q6’ in the
H original.
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 735
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

Ans. I was arrested by police not at Nijampur but at Borabara a A
little distance away from there; I was there to bring medicines for
myself as I was ill at that time.
*** *** ***”
6.1. The accused-appellant declined to lead any evidence and
hence, the matter proceeded for hearing and ultimately, led to the B
impugned judgment and order dated 18.07.2013/25.07.2013.
Trial Court found the appellant guilty and awarded life
imprisonment
7. Having taken note of the major features of the evidence on C
record and the stand of the prosecution witnesses as also of the accused-
appellant, we may summarise the relevant aspects of the decision of the
Trial Court and its process of reasoning.
7.1. In the first place, the Trial Court noticed the point calling for
determination in the matter, i.e., as to “whether the accused committed D
murder by intentionally causing the death of his wife Samina Khatun,
on the eventful day i.e. 22.10.2010, at about 12:00 noon, at village
Kurshapakhri Part II (Kumarkhali) in his house?”
7.2. After taking into consideration the testimony of PW-8 who
had conducted post-mortem examination, the Trial Court observed that E
it was clearly established that the cause of death was asphyxia due to
throttling, which was ante-mortem and homicidal in nature; and though
the defence had cross-examined PW-8 on certain points, but had failed
to derange these findings. The Trial Court observed and held as under: -
“…The defence cross examined this doctor on some point; but it F
has failed to disrupt any finding of the doctor on the matter that
the deceased died due to asphyxia as a result of throttling. I have
drawn a serious attention to this piece of evidence and am not
inclined to take a contrary view as regards the cause of death of
the deceased. It was done by throttling. Now, the question is who
the author of this crime. To seek answer of this query, we have to G
revert back to the evidence on record.”
7.3. Coming to the question as to who was the author of this
crime, the Trial Court, while dealing with the testimony of PW-1, noticed
that though he alleged in the FIR that the appellant committed the murder
of his granddaughter but, took a somersault while deposing in the Court H
736 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A and stated that being mentally unstable, he acted to the dictates of others
and affixed his signature on this piece of paper. The Trial Court also
observed that this witness attempted to give a different direction to the
prosecution story by taking the stand about illness and hospitalisation of
the victim before her death. The Trial Court deduced that this witness
was apparently won over, particularly when his narrative was running
B
counter to the evidence of the doctor conducting post-mortem
examination, who had categorically stated that the victim died due to
throttling. The Trial Court also noticed that the other (private) witnesses
had deposed more or less on the same lines, may be in slightly different
directions; and found no reason to accept their suggestion about demise
C of the victim in hospital due to illness, for obvious inconsistency with the
initial version in the FIR as also for want of clarification of basic questions
as to who, if at all, brought the victim to hospital and when.
7.4. Thereafter, the Trial Court analysed the testimony of PW-7
Anowar Hussain, the Investigating Officer who asserted that on
D 22.10.2010, the FIR and dead body were received at the police station
simultaneously; that he carried out inquest, prepared the inquest report
(Ex. 2), and dispatched the body for post-mortem examination; and that
subsequently, he visited the site of incident, examined material witnesses,
and drew up sketch map of the site (Ex. 3). The Trial Court also rejected
the objection of defence against acceptance of the site plan (Ex. 3) in
E evidence while observing that the defence had failed to satisfy as to
why the said material piece of evidence, be not brought on record. The
Trial Court further noticed from the testimony of PW-7 that when he
visited the place of occurrence, he did not find the appellant; and upon
receiving the information that the appellant was roaming at Nidanpur, he
F reached there and took the appellant into custody.
7.5. The Trial Court also took note of the fact that in his statement
under Section 313 CrPC, the appellant took the plea that he was ill at
that time and had gone to Nidanpur to get some medicines but no medicine
was found by PW-7 in his pocket. The Trial Court observed that the plea
G taken by the appellant was nothing but a lame excuse; and that the
appellant had also failed to specify as to who took his wife to hospital, if
at all she had fallen ill.
7.6. Thus, after taking into account the overall evidence on record
and after appreciating all the surrounding factors, the Trial Court
H concluded that the prosecution had been able to establish the guilt of
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 737
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

appellant for commission of offence in question beyond any doubt. The A
relevant observations and findings of the Trial Court read as under: -
“16. Now, we come to the most material part of the evidence.
Here, the I.O. has stated, in no uncertain terms that when he
visited the place of occurrence, he did not find the accused thereon.
From the evidence of other witness, it somehow comes to light B
that the victim was shifted to hospital in the morning hour. Now,
the question is who had shifted her. All the witnesses deposed in
different directions; but the justice cannot be left to be defeated,
even if all attempts are made by the witnesses to derail the course
of justice. Now, reverting back to the evidence of PW-7, it comes
to light that he made enquiries as regards disappearance of this C
accused from his house; but none could furnish any satisfactory
information as to why he was missing from his house.
Subsequently, the I.O. came to know that the accused was
roaming at Nidanpur. He immediately left for that place and on
reaching there, he found the accused roaming aimlessly at that D
place and he, immediately, brought the accused under his custody.
In the instant case, none had seen the actual occurrence. From
the medical evidence it stands amply established that the deceased/
wife of the accused suffered homicidal death. Her neck was
throttled and she was done to death.
E
17. From Ext.2, the inquest report, it appears that the I.O. has
noted that there appeared spot around the neck of the deceased
ad the body was stiff. The doctor while performing post mortem
examination, has found that there was rigor mortis present there
on the whole body. There was also bleeding from both ears. He
also noted protruded tongue. Multiple petechial haemorrhge were F
seen in eyes and face. Some bruising and eccymosis were also
found on both sides of the neck. The fact that the death was
caused by act of throttling stands abundantly established in the
instant case. The accused, during the whole trail, kept his mouth
shut. There are cogent and convincing evidence on record to hold G
that both the accused person and the victim were residing in the
same house together. Death occurred to the wife of the victim.
The parents and other members of the house were all present
there. None deemed it fit to inform the accused as regards her
falling seriously ill if ever there was any tinge truth in it. Even the
H
738 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A accused did not elaborate on the matter as to who took the victim
to hospital after ever she had fallen ill. The whole matter has
been stage-managed. The involvement of the accused in this
offence is beyond doubt and is writ large on the face of record.
He was roaming here and there somewhere else. He took the
plea in his examination u/s 313 Cr.P.C. that he was ill at that time.
B
So, he went to Nidanpur to get some medicines; but the I.O. had
not found any medicine in his pocket. Even this plea remains a
lame excuse. Just to save the skin from this heinous offence, the
accused has taken such plea. The death of his wife occurred in
an unnatural condition. He remained unmoved. He even did not
C throw light as to what had happened prior to her death. It did no
good to the accused to remain taciturn on the entire matter. Death
occurred due to throttling. The accused must explain what
happened at that time. His keeping mum, during the entire trail,
points to his guilty conscience. Upon overall analysis of the entire
evidence on record in its right perspective, this court is constrained
D
to hold that the prosecution has been able to establish the guilt of
the accused for commission of offence u/s 302 IPC beyond all
shadows of doubt. Hence, the accused is found guilty and he is
accordingly convicted.”
7.7. At the time of hearing on the question of sentence, the Trial
E Court noticed an application on behalf of the accused-appellant for re-
examining PW-8, the doctor conducting post-mortem, for correction of
certain expressions occurring in his deposition. The Trial Court found
such expressions not having any serious effect on the prosecution case
as regards the cause of death. It was also argued before the Trial Court
F that there was no mens rea on the part of the appellant and the offence
may be scaled down to Section 304 Part II IPC. However, this submission
was found unacceptable by the Trial Court looking to the overall
circumstances including the cause of death of the victim and the conduct
of the appellant, where he fled from the house and offered no explanation
as to the cause of death of his wife. Finally, the Trial Court, by its order
G dated 25.07.2013, awarded the punishment to the appellant of life
imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 5,000/- with default stipulations. The
relevant observations and conclusion of the Trial Court read as under: -
“22. I have very attentively gone through the case record and
have taken into account the submission of the learned counsel on
H
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 739
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

the matter that, the accused, if ever be held guilty, he should be A
sentenced u/s 304(2); but I do not agree on this matter. There are
abundant evidence on record to hold that it was an unnatural death.
Death was caused to the effect of strangulation and it happened
in the house of the accused. But the accused fled away there-
from and he had no explanation worth his name how death occurred
B
in the house; he remained silent throughout the entire trial and he
had even not taken a plea that it was caused by some other persons.
The other witnesses tried to derails the course of justice by trying
to confuse the court on different pleas. Some of them took the
plea that the victim died of consumption of poison, other pleaded
that she was suffering from diseases; but there is no evidence on C
record on that point. Rather the evidence so surfaced upon critical
analysis of the entire evidence on record is justified to the fact
that it was none other than accused who caused death of his wife
in his house and after causing this heinous offence he escaped
there-from and was loitering in that area i.e. at Nidanpur where
D
he was finally detected by the police and rounded up. The
prosecution has succeeded to establish the guilt of the accused
for commission of offence u/s 302 IPC. There is no mitigating
circumstance to deal leniently in favour of the accused scaling
down the offence to any other section. Having found abundant
evidence on record, this court finds him guilty for committing the E
offence u/s 302 IPC and sentence him life imprisonment and a
fine of Rs. 5,000/-, i/d to suffer RI for three months.”
High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the appellant
8. Aggrieved by the judgment and order aforesaid, the appellant
filed a criminal appeal, being Criminal Appeal No. 100 (J) of 2013, before F
the Gauhati High Court that has been considered and dismissed by the
High Court by its impugned judgment and order dated 19.08.2016.
8.1. The High Court noticed the fact that the Trial Court had
convicted the appellant mainly relying upon the post-mortem examination
report as also the fact that no plausible explanation was given by the G
appellant regarding the homicidal death of his wife. The High Court
again took note of the essential features of the evidence and particularly
referred to the fact that the inquest report (Ex. 2) was drawn at the
police station itself bearing the signatures, inter alia, of PW-1, PW-2,
PW-3 and PW-4. The story as put forward by these and other private H
740 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A witnesses about the death of Samina in hospital due to illness was rejected
with reference to the fact that there was no corroborative evidence in
that regard and on the contrary, the post-mortem examination report
(Ex. 4) falsified the story that she had died due to illness. The High
Court specifically observed that if at all Samina had died in the hospital
due to illness, there was no occasion for the aforesaid witnesses to carry
B
her dead body to the police station.
8.2. Having said so, the High Court referred to a decision of this
Court in Trimukh Maroti Kirkan v. State of Maharashtra: (2006) 10
SCC 681, on the principle that when the incriminating circumstances
are put to the accused and the accused either offers no explanation or
C his explanation is found to be untrue, it becomes an additional link in the
chain of circumstances against him. The High Court found that, in the
present case, when the appellant and his wife were living together and
the appellant-husband failed to offer plausible explanation about the
homicidal death of his wife and there was no evidence as regards her
D alleged illness or demise in hospital, it was a strong circumstance that he
alone was responsible for the crime.
8.3. The High Court, therefore, dismissed the appeal while
observing, inter alia, as under: -
“9. As seen above, Akbar Ali (PW-1) not only carried the dead
E body of Samina to the Police Station, he also made the ejahar
alleging that appellant had tortured her to death. And at the Police
Station itself, Investigating Officer Anowar Hussain (PW-7) made
inquest report exhibit 2 on the dead body, which even bears the
signatures of Akbar Ali (PW-1), Barek Ali (PW-3) and Sukum Ali
F (PW-4). But during the trial, all these witnesses changed their
versions and deposed that Samina died in the hospital due to illness.
This, perhaps, they did because of their relations with the appellant.
Similar is the evidence of Dilbar Hussain (PW-5) and Mustt.
Moimma Beuwa (PW-6). They too have testified that Samina
died in the hospital due to illness. But, no record of any hospital
G was produced in defence by the appellant to even suggest that
Samina died in the hospital due to illness. On the contrary, post
mortem examination report of Dr. Madhab Kumar Rahang (PW-
8) completely falsifies the defence of appellant that Samina died
due to illness. Not only this, Anowar Hussain (PW-7) has
H categorically testified that inquest report on the dead body of Samina
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 741
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

was made at the Police Station, which bears the signatures of A
Akbar Ali, Barek Ali and Sukum Ali. These witnesses have not
denied their signatures in the inquest report. Had Samina died in
the hospital due to illness, there was no occasion for Akbar Ali,
Barek Ali and Sukum Ali to carry her dead body to the Police
Station.
B
10. The Supreme Court in the case of Trimukh Maroti Kirkan vs.
State of Maharashtra (2006) 10 SCC 681 has again approved the
well settled principle that when an incriminating circumstance is
put to the accused and that accused either offers no explanation
or offers an explanation which is found to be untrue, then the
same becomes an additional link in the chain of circumstances to C
make it complete. In this case, the Supreme Court has also held
that where a husband is alleged to have committed the murder of
his wife and the prosecution succeeds in leading evidence to show
that shortly before the commission of crime they were seen together
or the offence takes place in the dwelling house where the husband D
also normally resided and if the husband does not offer any
explanation how the wife received injuries or offers an explanation
which is found to be false, it was a strong circumstance pointing
that he alone was responsible for the commission of crime.
11. The appellant has not disputed that at the time of incident E
Samina lived with him in the same dwelling house. Samina died
due to throttling and her death was homicidal in nature. She also
had injuries around her neck, apart from other injuries. No plausible
explanation has been given by the appellant regarding her homicidal
death. He has also not been able to produce even iota of evidence
that she was suffering from any illness or died in the hospital due F
to illness.
12. We therefore find no merit in this appeal. The appeal is
accordingly dismissed.”
Rival Submissions G
9. Assailing the judgment and order aforesaid, learned counsel for
the appellant has put forward a variety of submissions to argue that the
appellant has been convicted not on legal evidence but only on suspicion.
Learned counsel would argue that the case of the prosecution is based
on circumstantial evidence but, the only circumstances relied upon by
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742 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A the Courts are of medical opinion and non-explanation or purportedly
false explanation by the appellant. These circumstances, according to
the learned counsel, do not justify a conclusion on the guilt of the appellant
beyond reasonable doubt.
9.1. The learned counsel has strenuously argued that the date of
B arrest of the appellant remains questionable because, as per the version
of PW-7 Investigation Officer, he was arrested on 24.10.2010 but, the
arrest memo shows that he was arrested on 22.10.2010 and then, the
said date was conveniently altered to 23.10.2010 and the same was
endorsed by learned Chief Judicial Magistrate on 24.10.2010.
C 9.2. The learned counsel has also submitted that the place of incident
has not been proved in this case as the prosecution has only relied upon
the evidence of PW-7 that he inspected the place of incident and had
drawn the site map but, in the case diary, there is no direct mention as to
how did he reach there; and then, the Ex. 3 (site plan) was not enclosed
with the charge-sheet. Even though an objection was raised before the
D Sessions Court, it was simply brushed aside by stating that the defence
had failed to satisfy as to why this material piece of evidence be not
brought on record. The learned counsel has further submitted that PW-
7 did not depose that Ex. 3 was prepared in the presence and as per the
information of the appellant.
E 9.3. Learned counsel for the appellant has further emphatically
submitted that all the independent witnesses, PW1 to PW6, have spoken
in one voice that the deceased died in hospital due to illness, and thereby
did not support the case of prosecution; and the prosecution neither
declared them hostile nor cross-examined them to prove that they were
F speaking falsehood or were won over.
9.4. While assailing the evidence concerning inquest report
(Ex. 2), the learned counsel has argued that there is no evidence on
record as to from which place the dead body was carried to the police
station; neither PW-1 has stated any such fact nor the IO PW-7 has
G spoken about the place from where the dead body was carried. This
missing link, according to learned counsel, operates against the prosecution
case.
9.5. Learned counsel for the appellant has further argued, with
reference to the principles laid down in Sharad Birdhichand Sarda v.
State of Maharashtra: (1984) 4 SCC 116 that the Courts ought not to
H
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 743
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

place much reliance on the medical evidence as the same is not of A
conclusive proof and is of opinion only. In this regard, the learned counsel
has further relied upon the decisions in Balaji Gunthu Dhule v. State of
Maharashtra: (2012) 11 SCC 685 and Nagendra Sah v. State of
Bihar: (2021) 10 SCC 725.
9.6. Further, while relying upon the decisions of this Court in Gargi B
v. State of Haryana: (2019) 9 SCC 738; Shivaji Chintappa Patil v.
State of Maharashtra: (2021) 3 SCALE 384; Satye Singh & Anr. v.
State of Uttarakhand: (2022) 3 SCALE 534; and Nagendra Sah
(supra), it has been submitted that the so-called non-explanation or falsity
of explanation as required under Section 106 of the Evidence Act, by
itself, cannot be a ground of conviction. C

9.7. The learned counsel has submitted that as per the prosecution
case, the deceased was continuously tortured by the appellant but, in the
absence of the proof of this allegation, prosecution ought to have proved
the motive behind the alleged incident; and while relying on Shivaji
Chintappa Patil (supra) as also Anwar Ali and Anr. v. State of D
Himachal Pradesh: (2020) 10 SCC 166 and Nandu Singh v. State
of Madhya Pradesh (Now Chhattisgarh): Criminal Appeal No. 285
of 2022, decided on 25.02.2022, it has been argued that motive having
not been proved, conviction of the appellant remains unsustainable.
9.8. The learned counsel has further submitted that if two views E
are possible, as found in the present case, then the view in favour of the
accused (appellant herein) must be accepted, by placing reliance on a
few decisions like that in Jose Alias Pappachan v. Sub-Inspector of
Police, Koyilandy and Anr.: 2016 (10) SCC 519. The learned counsel
has also referred to the decision in Sarwan Singh v. State of Punjab: F
AIR 1957 SC 637 to submit that suspicion, howsoever strong, cannot
take the place of proof.
10. Per contra, learned counsel for respondent-State has
emphatically submitted that the prosecution has produced relevant
evidence and the circumstances have been established beyond reasonable G
doubt so as to complete the chain of circumstances and ruling out any
other hypothesis except the guilt of the appellant.
10.1. Learned counsel for respondent-State has relied upon the
post-mortem report (Ex. 4) read with the deposition of PW-8 and the
inquest report (Ex. 2) while submitting that there were ante-mortem
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744 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A injuries on the body of the deceased and the cause of death was asphyxia
due to throttling. Further, while placing reliance on the testimony of PW-
7, it has been argued that the appellant was absconding after the incident
and was arrested from a different location after two days; and that the
appellant miserably failed to prove his plea of alibi that he was ill and had
gone to purchase medicine.
B
10.2. Learned counsel for respondent-State has forcefully
submitted that the false explanation given by the appellant that his wife
died in the hospital due to illness becomes an additional link to complete
the chain of circumstances, as the appellant failed to adduce any evidence
of hospital record concerning the treatment of the deceased or discharge/
C death certificate, to prove that his wife indeed died in the hospital. In this
regard, reliance has been placed on the said decision in Trimuk Maroti
Kirkan v. State of Maharashtra: (2006) 10 SCC 681.
10.3. Learned counsel has further submitted that in case the death
of victim would have occurred due to an illness and/or in the hospital,
D her dead body would not have been taken to the police station for lodging
the FIR nor the inquest would have revealed the injuries as reported in
the inquest report (Ex. 2). Moreover, in the present case, when the offence
has been committed in the matrimonial home where the appellant and
the deceased were residing together, the burden under Section 106 of
E the Evidence Act, was heavy upon the appellant to explain as to how the
victim sustained so many grievous injuries and died because of throttling.
The emphasis of learned counsel has been that when the appellant
asserted that the deceased died due to illness in hospital, the burden to
prove the facts regarding illness and hospitalisation was upon the appellant
under Section 106 of the Evidence Act. Furthermore, when the appellant
F stated in his statement under Section 313 CrPC that he was ill and had
gone to Nidanpur to purchase medicines for himself, the burden to prove
his alibi was also upon the appellant, but the explanation provided by him
was found to be false.
10.4. The learned counsel for respondent-State has again relied
G upon Trimuk Maroti Kirkan (supra) to submit that in the cases of
circumstantial evidence, when offence is committed in the confines of a
home, though the initial burden would be on the prosecution but the nature
and amount of evidence to be led by it to establish the charge cannot be
of the same degree as is required in other cases of circumstantial
H
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 745
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

evidence. The learned counsel has also relied upon several other decisions, A
like Alber Oraon v. State of Jharkhand: (2014) 12 SCC 306 and
Sudru v. State of Chhattisgarh: (2019) 8 SCC 333.
10.5. The learned counsel for respondent-State has placed reliance
on Ujjagar Singh v. State of Punjab: (2007) 13 SCC 90 and Vivek
Kalra v. State of Rajasthan: (2014) 12 SCC 439 to submit that where B
chain of circumstances establishes beyond reasonable doubt that it is
the accused who committed the offence, the Court cannot hold that
absence of motive to exonerate the accused.
10.6. The learned counsel has submitted that in view of appellant’s
admission under Section 313 CrPC about his arrest, the contention that C
the arrest of the appellant after the incident is questionable, has no
foundation to stand upon. The learned counsel has further refuted the
contention that the place of occurrence is not proved. In this regard, it
has been argued that PW-7 has clearly deposed that after receiving
FIR, he prepared the inquest report at the police station itself, which
was witnessed by four persons and thereafter, he visited the place of D
occurrence, examined witnesses and drew up the site plan (Ex. 3) of
place of occurrence and signed thereon. PW-7 also deposed that he did
not find the appellant at the place of occurrence and could be arrested
only from Nidanpur market on 24.10.2010. The learned counsel has
further submitted that the site map, at point ‘Ka’, clearly indicates the E
place of occurrence to be the house of the appellant. Although an objection
of the site plan not accompanying the charge-sheet has been taken by
the defence, but it is seen that the same is duly exhibited in evidence and
is the part of original record before the Courts. Moreover, the Investigating
Officer categorically described the place of occurrence in his cross-
examination. Therefore, according to the learned counsel, objection to F
Ex. 3 was rightly rejected by the Trial Court while finding that the appellant
and the deceased resided in the same house together and the death of
deceased occurred inside the house.
10.7. While concluding, learned counsel for the respondent-State
has submitted that the present case is of clinching evidence, which has G
duly been considered by the two Courts, while recording concurrent
findings as regards the guilt of the appellant, in committing the murder of
his deceased wife and hence, no interference is called for.

H
746 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A The scope and width of these appeals
11. As noticed, the Trial Court and the High Court have concurrently
recorded the findings in this case that the prosecution has been able to
successfully establish the chain of circumstances leading to the only
conclusion that the appellant is guilty of the offence of murder of his
B wife. The concurrent findings leading to the appellant’s conviction have
been challenged in this appeal as if inviting re-appreciation of entire
evidence on its contents as also its surrounding factors. Though the
parameters of examining the matters in an appeal by special leave under
Article 136 of the Constitution of India have been laid down repeatedly
by this Court in several of the decisions but, having regard to the
C submissions made in this case, we usefully reiterate the observations in
the case of Pappu v. The State of Uttar Pradesh: 2022 SCC OnLine
SC 176 wherein, after referring to Articles 134 and 136 of the Constitution
of India and Section 2 of the Supreme Court (Enlargement of Criminal
Appellate Jurisdiction) Act, 1970 as also with a detailed reference to the
D relevant decisions, this Court has summed up the subtle distinction in the
scope of a regular appeal and an appeal by special leave in the following
words: -
“20.…. In such an appeal by special leave, where the Trial Court
and the High Court have concurrently returned the findings of
fact after appreciation of evidence, each and every finding of
E
fact cannot be contested nor such an appeal could be dealt with
as if another forum for reappreciation of evidence. Of course, if
the assessment by the Trial Court and the High Court could be
said to be vitiated by any error of law or procedure or misreading
of evidence or in disregard to the norms of judicial process leading
F to serious prejudice or injustice, this Court may, and in appropriate
cases would, interfere in order to prevent grave or serious
miscarriage of justice but, such a course is adopted only in rare
and exceptional cases of manifest illegality. Tersely put, it is not a
matter of regular appeal. This Court would not interfere with the
concurrent findings of fact based on pure appreciation of evidence
G
nor it is the scope of these appeals that this Court would enter into
reappreciation of evidence so as to take a view different than that
taken by the Trial Court and approved by the High Court.”
11.1. Keeping the principles aforesaid in view, we may examine
if the concurrent findings call for any interference in this case while
H
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 747
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

reiterating that wholesome reappreciation of evidence is not within the A
scope of this appeal, even though we have scanned through the entire
evidence in order to appropriately deal with the contentions urged before
us.
The principles applicable to this case
12. Learned counsel for the appellant has endeavoured to argue B
that there had been several shortcomings and lacunae in the prosecution
case and that the relied upon factors, including the medical evidence and
the so-called falsity of explanation of the appellant, are not providing
such links in the circumstances which may lead to the finding on the guilt
of the appellant. While dealing with such submissions, we may usefully
C
take note of the basic principles applicable to this case, as noticeable
from the relevant cited decisions.
12.1. The principles explained and enunciated in the case of
Sharad Birdhichand Sarda (supra) remain a guiding light for the Courts
in regard to the proof of a case based on circumstantial evidence. Therein,
this Court referred to the celebrated decision in the case of Hanumant D
v. State of Madhya Pradesh: AIR 1952 SC 343 and deduced five
golden principles of proving a case based on circumstantial evidence in
the following terms:-
“152 ........................ It may be useful to extract what Mahajan, J.
has laid down in Hanumant case: E
“It is well to remember that in cases where the evidence is of
a circumstantial nature, the circumstances from which the
conclusion of guilt is to be drawn should in the first instance be
fully established, and all the facts so established should be
consistent only with the hypothesis of the guilt of the accused. F
Again, the circumstances should be of a conclusive nature and
tendency and they should be such as to exclude every
hypothesis but the one proposed to be proved. In other words,
there must be a chain of evidence so far complete as not to
leave any reasonable ground for a conclusion consistent with
the innocence of the accused and it must be such as to show G
that within all human probability the act must have been done
by the accused.”
153. A close analysis of this decision would show that the following
conditions must be fulfilled before a case against an accused
can be said to be fully established: H
748 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A (1) the circumstances from which the conclusion of guilt is
to be drawn should be fully established.
It may be noted here that this Court indicated that the
circumstances concerned “must or should” and not “may be”
established. There is not only a grammatical but a legal distinction
B between “may be proved” and “must be or should be proved” as
was held by this Court in Shivaji Sahabrao Bobade v. State of
Maharashtra 7 where the observations were made:
“Certainly, it is a primary principle that the accused must be
and not merely may be guilty before a court can convict and
C the mental distance between ‘may be’ and ‘must be’ is long
and divides vague conjectures from sure conclusions.”
(2) the facts so established should be consistent only with the
hypothesis of the guilt of the accused, that is to say, they should
not be explainable on any other hypothesis except that the accused
D is guilty,
(3) the circumstances should be of a conclusive nature and
tendency,
(4) they should exclude every possible hypothesis except the one
to be proved, and
E
(5) there must be a chain of evidence so complete as not to leave
any reasonable ground for the conclusion consistent with the
innocence of the accused and must show that in all human
probability the act must have been done by the accused.
154. These five golden principles, if we may say so, constitute
F
the panchsheel of the proof of a case based on circumstantial
evidence.
155. It may be interesting to note that as regards the mode of
proof in a criminal case depending on circumstantial evidence, in
the absence of a corpus delicti, the statement of law as to proof
G of the same was laid down by Gresson, J. (and concurred by 3
more Judges) in King v. Horry [1952 NZLR 111] thus:
“Before he can be convicted, the fact of death should be proved
by such circumstances as render the commission of the crime

H 7
(1973) 2 SCC 793.
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 749
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

morally certain and leave no ground for reasonable doubt: the A
circumstantial evidence should be so cogent and compelling as
to convince a jury that upon no rational hypothesis other than
murder can the facts be accounted for.”
156. Lord Goddard slightly modified the expression “morally
certain” by “such circumstances as render the commission of the B
crime certain”.
157. This indicates the cardinal principle of criminal jurisprudence
that a case can be said to be proved only when there is certain
and explicit evidence and no person can be convicted on pure
moral conviction...”” C
12.1.1. It is also pertinent and useful to notice that in the said case
of Sharad Birdhichand Sarda, this Court also enunciated the principles
for using the false explanation or false defence as an additional link to
complete the chain of circumstances in the following terms: -
“158. It may be necessary here to notice a very forceful argument D
submitted by the Additional Solicitor General relying on a decision
of this Court in Deonandan Mishra v. State of Bihar 8 to
supplement his argument that if the defence case is false it would
constitute an additional link so as to fortify the prosecution
case……..
E
159. It will be seen that this Court while taking into account the
absence of explanation or a false explanation did hold that it will
amount to be an additional link to complete the chain but these
observations must be read in the light of what this Court said
earlier viz. before a false explanation can be used as additional
link, the following essential conditions must be satisfied: F
(1) various links in the chain of evidence led by the prosecution
have been satisfactorily proved,
(2) the said circumstance points to the guilt of the accused
with reasonable definiteness, and
G
(3) the circumstance is in proximity to the time and situation.
160. If these conditions are fulfilled only then a court can use a
false explanation or a false defence as an additional link to lend
an assurance to the court and not otherwise.……..”
8
AIR 1955 SC 801 : (1955) 2 SCR 570, 582 : 1955 Cri LJ 1647. H
750 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A 12.2. In the case of Balaji Gunthu Dhule (supra), where the
High Court did not accept the evidence of the alleged eye-witnesses but
proceeded to principally rely on the post-mortem report while recording
conviction, this Court did not approve such an approach, while observing
in the referred paragraph as under: -
B “9. The High Court has also relied upon the post-mortem report
of the doctor. In our opinion, since the entire evidence of the
eyewitnesses has not been accepted by the High Court, it could
not have merely relied upon the post-mortem report to convict the
appellant for an offence under Section 302 IPC…….”
C 12.3. In the case of Gargi (supra), where the appellant was held
guilty of murder of her husband by the two Courts essentially with
reference to the operation of Section 106 of the Evidence Act, this Court
pointed out that this provision does not absolve the prosecution of its
primary burden in the following words: -

D “33.1. Insofar as the “last seen theory” is concerned, there is no
doubt that the appellant being none other than the wife of the
deceased and staying under the same roof, was the last person
the deceased was seen with. However, such companionship of
the deceased and the appellant, by itself, does not mean that a
presumption of guilt of the appellant is to be drawn. The trial
E court and the High Court have proceeded on the assumption that
Section 106 of the Evidence Act directly operates against the
appellant. In our view, such an approach has also not been free
from error where it was omitted to be considered that Section
106 of the Evidence Act does not absolve the prosecution of its
F primary burden…”
12.4. In the case of Shivaji Chintappa Patil (supra), this Court
reiterated the principles that Section 106 of the Evidence Act does not
absolve the prosecution of discharging the primary burden; and that want
of explanation or falsity of explanation in the statement under Section
G 313 can only be used as an additional circumstance when the prosecution
has proved the other circumstances leading to no other conclusion but
that of guilt of the accused. In that case, one of the significant features
had been that as per the post-mortem report, the cause of death of the
victim was asphyxia due to hanging but, admittedly, there were no marks
on the body of the victim which could suggest violence or struggle; and
H
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 751
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

the medical expert himself had not ruled out the possibility of suicidal A
death. This Court observed and said as under: -
“22. …Section 106 of the Evidence Act does not absolve the
prosecution of discharging its primary burden of proving the
prosecution case beyond reasonable doubt. It is only when the
prosecution has led evidence which, if believed, will sustain a B
conviction, or which makes out a prima facie case, that the question
arises of considering facts of which the burden of proof would lie
upon the accused.
*** *** ***
24. Another circumstance relied upon by the prosecution is, that C
the appellant failed to give any explanation in his statement under
Section 313 Cr.P.C. By now it is well-settled principle of law, that
false explanation or non-explanation can only be used as an
additional circumstance, when the prosecution has proved the chain
of circumstances leading to no other conclusion than the guilt of D
the accused. However, it cannot be used as a link to complete the
chain. Reference in this respect could be made to the judgment of
this Court in Sharad Birdhichand Sarda (supra).”
12.5. In Satye Singh (supra), where the prosecution failed to
prove the basic facts as against the accused, this Court, again, emphasised E
that Section 106 of the Evidence Act does not relieve the prosecution of
its primary duty to prove the guilt of the appellant as follows: -
“15. …the Court is of the opinion that the prosecution had miserably
failed to prove the entire chain of circumstances which would
unerringly conclude that alleged act was committed by the accused F
only and none else. Reliance placed by learned advocate Mr. Mishra
for the State on Section 106 of the Evidence Act is also misplaced,
inasmuch as Section 106 is not intended to relieve the prosecution
from discharging its duty to prove the guilt of the accused….”
12.6. In the case of Nagendra Sah (supra), the relevant
G
background aspects were that the appellant’s wife died due to burn injuries
on 18.11.2011 whereupon, Unnatural Death Case was registered.
According to the post-mortem report, the cause of death was asphyxia
due to pressure around neck by hand and blunt substance. Later, as late
as on 25.08.2012, the FIR was registered for the offence under Section
302 IPC and ultimately, the appellant was tried and convicted of the H
752 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A offences under Sections 302 and 201 IPC. This Court, however, noticed
the factors that there was no explanation by the prosecution for the
inordinate delay in registering the FIR; that none except the official
witnesses supported the prosecution case; that there was no evidence
to suggest that the relationship between the appellant and the deceased
was strained in any manner; and that the appellant was not the only
B
person residing in the house where the incident took place. This Court,
thus, held that the facts established were not consistent with only one
hypothesis of the guilt of the appellant. In such a background, this Court
observed that conviction could not have been based only on the post-
mortem report; and when the prosecution failed to establish the chain of
C circumstances, the failure of the accused to discharge the burden of
Section 106 of the Evidence Act was not relevant at all. This Court and
observed and held as under: -
“22. Thus, Section 106 of the Evidence Act will apply to those
cases where the prosecution has succeeded in establishing the
D facts from which a reasonable inference can be drawn regarding
the existence of certain other facts which are within the special
knowledge of the accused. When the accused fails to offer proper
explanation about the existence of said other facts, the court can
always draw an appropriate inference.

E 23. When a case is resting on circumstantial evidence, if the
accused fails to offer a reasonable explanation in discharge of
burden placed on him by virtue of Section 106 of the Evidence
Act, such a failure may provide an additional link to the chain of
circumstances. In a case governed by circumstantial evidence, if
the chain of circumstances which is required to be established by
F the prosecution is not established, the failure of the accused to
discharge the burden under Section 106 of the Evidence Act is
not relevant at all. When the chain is not complete, falsity of the
defence is no ground to convict the accused.
24. As we have already held in this case, the circumstances
G established by the prosecution do not lead to only one possible
inference regarding the guilt of the appellant-accused.
25. Therefore, what survives for consideration is only an opinion
of the medical practitioner who conducted autopsy and gave a
report on the cause of death. As held in Balaji Gunthu Dhule9,
9
H (2012) 11 SCC 685 (as referred to hereinbefore).
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 753
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

only on the basis of post-mortem report, the appellant could not A
have been convicted of the offence punishable under Section 302
IPC and consequently for the offence punishable under Section
201 IPC.
26. Moreover, there is no explanation brought on record by the
prosecution for the delay in registering first information report. B
Though the post-mortem report was available on 18-11-2011, first
information report was belatedly registered on 25-8-2012.
27. Therefore, we are of the considered view that the guilt of the
accused has not been established beyond a reasonable doubt….”
12.7. The case of Trimukh Maroti Kirkan (supra) as relied upon C
by the High Court and referred to by learned counsel for the respondent
carry at least one significant feature akin to the present case. Therein,
the accused was charged of the murder of his wife; there had been
allegations of ill-treatment of the deceased-wife by the accused-husband;
and though the victim had been killed by strangulation, the information D
given to her parents was that she had died on account of snakebite and
all in the village were also told that the deceased had died on account of
snakebite. After taking note of the facts of the case, this Court exposited
on the principles governing the assessment of circumstantial evidence,
the operation of Section 106 of the Evidence Act, and the effect of want
of necessary explanation or giving of false explanation by the accused, E
inter alia, in the following passages: -
“12. In the case in hand there is no eyewitness of the occurrence
and the case of the prosecution rests on circumstantial evidence.
The normal principle in a case based on circumstantial evidence
is that the circumstances from which an inference of guilt is sought F
to be drawn must be cogently and firmly established; that those
circumstances should be of a definite tendency unerringly pointing
towards the guilt of the accused; that the circumstances taken
cumulatively should form a chain so complete that there is no
escape from the conclusion that within all human probability the G
crime was committed by the accused and they should be incapable
of explanation on any hypothesis other than that of the guilt of the
accused and inconsistent with their innocence.
*** *** ***
H
754 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A 14. If an offence takes place inside the privacy of a house and in
such circumstances where the assailants have all the opportunity
to plan and commit the offence at the time and in circumstances
of their choice, it will be extremely difficult for the prosecution to
lead evidence to establish the guilt of the accused if the strict
principle of circumstantial evidence, as noticed above, is insisted
B
upon by the courts. A judge does not preside over a criminal trial
merely to see that no innocent man is punished. A judge also
presides to see that a guilty man does not escape. Both are public
duties. (See Stirland v. Director of Public Prosecutions 10 —
quoted with approval by Arijit Pasayat, J. in State of
C Punjab v. Karnail Singh11.) The law does not enjoin a duty on
the prosecution to lead evidence of such character which is almost
impossible to be led or at any rate extremely difficult to be led.
The duty on the prosecution is to lead such evidence which it is
capable of leading, having regard to the facts and circumstances
of the case. Here it is necessary to keep in mind Section 106 of
D
the Evidence Act which says that when any fact is especially
within the knowledge of any person, the burden of proving that
fact is upon him…….
15. Where an offence like murder is committed in secrecy inside
a house, the initial burden to establish the case would undoubtedly
E be upon the prosecution, but the nature and amount of evidence
to be led by it to establish the charge cannot be of the same degree
as is required in other cases of circumstantial evidence. The
burden would be of a comparatively lighter character. In view of
Section 106 of the Evidence Act there will be a corresponding
F burden on the inmates of the house to give a cogent explanation
as to how the crime was committed. The inmates of the house
cannot get away by simply keeping quiet and offering no
explanation on the supposed premise that the burden to establish
its case lies entirely upon the prosecution and there is no duty at
all on an accused to offer any explanation.
G
*** *** ***
21. In a case based on circumstantial evidence where no
eyewitness account is available, there is another principle of law
10
1944 AC 315: (1944) 2 All ER 13 (HL).
H 11
(2003) 11 SCC 271 : 2004 SCC (Cri) 135.
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 755
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

which must be kept in mind. The principle is that when an A
incriminating circumstance is put to the accused and the said
accused either offers no explanation or offers an explanation which
is found to be untrue, then the same becomes an additional link in
the chain of circumstances to make it complete. This view has
been taken in a catena of decisions of this Court.”
B
12.8. The case of Sudru (supra) had been the one where the
appellant was charged of the murder of his son in his house; and the
principal prosecution witnesses, including wife of the appellant, turned
hostile to the prosecution but, the facts did come out of their testimony
that the deceased was left alone in the company of the appellant and the
next day, the deceased was found dead. Taking note of the salient features C
of the case and operation of the requirements of Section 106 of the
Evidence Act, this Court observed, as regards consideration of the relevant
part of evidence of a hostile witness and the effect of failure on the part
of the accused to discharge his burden, as follows: -
“6. No doubt, in the present case all the witnesses who are related D
to the accused and the deceased have turned hostile. PW 1 Janki
Bai, wife of the appellant and the mother of the deceased has
also turned hostile. However, by now it is settled principle of law,
that such part of the evidence of a hostile witness which is found
to be credible could be taken into consideration and it is not E
necessary to discard the entire evidence...
*** *** ***
“8. In this view of the matter, after the prosecution has established
the aforesaid fact, the burden would shift upon the appellant under
Section 106 of the Evidence Act. Once the prosecution proves, F
that it is the deceased and the appellant, who were alone in that
room and on the next day morning the dead body of the deceased
was found, the onus shifts on the appellant to explain, as to what
has happened in that night and as to how the death of the deceased
has occurred. G
“9. In this respect reference can be made to the following
observation of this Court in Trimukh Maroti Kirkan v. State of
Maharashtra 12:

12
(2006) 10 SCC 681 (as referred to hereinbefore). H
756 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A “21. In a case based on circumstantial evidence where no
eyewitness account is available, there is another principle of
law which must be kept in mind. The principle is that when an
incriminating circumstance is put to the accused and the said
accused either offers no explanation or offers an explanation
which is found to be untrue, then the same becomes an additional
B
link in the chain of circumstances to make it complete.”
12.9. Apart from the above, we may also usefully take note of
the recent decision of this Court in the case of Sabitri Samantaray v.
State of Odisha: 2022 SCC OnLine SC 673. In that case based on
circumstantial evidence, with reference to Section 106 of the Evidence
C Act, a 3-judge bench of this Court noted that if the accused had a different
intention, the facts are specially within his knowledge which he must
prove; and if, in a case based on circumstantial evidence, the accused
evades response to an incriminating question or offers a response which
is not true, such a response, in itself, would become an additional link in
D the chain of events. The relevant part of the enunciation by this Court
reads as under: -
“19. Thus, although Section 106 is in no way aimed at relieving
the prosecution from its burden to establish the guilt of an accused,
it applies to cases where chain of events has been successfully
E established by the prosecution, from which a reasonable inference
is made out against the accused. Moreover, in a case based on
circumstantial evidence, whenever an incriminating question is
posed to the accused and he or she either evades response, or
offers a response which is not true, then such a response in itself
becomes an additional link in the chain of events.”
F
12.10.As regards the relevancy of motive in a case based on
circumstantial evidence, the weight of authorities is on principles that if
motive is proved, that would supply another link in the chain of
circumstantial evidence but, the absence of motive cannot be a ground
to reject the prosecution case, though such an absence of motive is a
G factor that weighs in favour of the accused. In the cases of Nandu
Singh and Shivaji Chintappa Patil (supra), reliance has essentially
been placed on the decision in Anwar Ali (supra), wherein this Court
has referred to and relied upon the principles enunciated in previous
decisions and has laid down as under: -
H
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 757
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

“24. Now so far as the submission on behalf of the accused that A
in the present case the prosecution has failed to establish and
prove the motive and therefore the accused deserves acquittal is
concerned, it is true that the absence of proving the motive cannot
be a ground to reject the prosecution case. It is also true and as
held by this Court in Suresh Chandra Bahri v. State of Bihar13
B
that if motive is proved that would supply a link in the chain of
circumstantial evidence but the absence thereof cannot be a
ground to reject the prosecution case. However, at the same time,
as observed by this Court in Babu14, absence of motive in a case
depending on circumstantial evidence is a factor that weighs in
favour of the accused. In paras 25 and 26, it is observed and held C
as under:-
“25. In State of U.P. v. Kishanpal15, this Court examined
the importance of motive in cases of circumstantial evidence and
observed:
‘38. … the motive is a thing which is primarily known to D
the accused themselves and it is not possible for the prosecution
to explain what actually promoted or excited them to commit
the particular crime.
39. The motive may be considered as a circumstance
which is relevant for assessing the evidence but if the evidence E
is clear and unambiguous and the circumstances prove the guilt
of the accused, the same is not weakened even if the motive is
not a very strong one……...’
26. This Court has also held that the absence of motive in a
case depending on circumstantial evidence is a factor that weighs F
in favour of the accused. (Vide Pannayar v. State of T.N.16).”
13. Keeping the aforesaid principles in view, when we examine
the facts of this case and the concurrent findings by the Trial Court and
the High Court, we find no substance in the contentions urged by learned
counsel for the appellant. G

13
1995 Supp (1) SCC 80: 1995 SCC (Cri) 60.
14
(2010) 9 SCC 189: (2010) 3 SCC (Cri) 1179.
15
(2008) 16 SCC 73: (2010) 4 SCC (Cri) 182.
16
(2009) 9 SCC 152 : (2009) 3 SCC (Civ) 638 : (2010) 2 SCC (Cri) 1480. H
758 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A Concurrent findings do not call for interference in this case
14. As noticed, the Trial Court and the High Court have
concurrently recorded the findings in this case that the prosecution has
been able to establish the chain of circumstances leading to the conclusion
that the appellant is guilty of the offence of murder of the victim, his
B wife. The fundamental facts established by the prosecution evidence
are that the dead body of the victim was brought to the police station;
and that after registering FIR on the basis of report (Ex. 1) made by
PW-1, inquest was carried out and the inquest report (Ex. 2) was drawn
at the police station, which was signed by the informant as also by the
other witnesses, PW-2, PW-3 and PW-4. The post-mortem report and
C the deposition of PW-8 further make it clear that the victim had died
because of asphyxia, which was a result of throttling. The other
undeniable fact has been that the victim was the wife of the appellant
and before her death, she was living with the appellant. It has not been
the case of the appellant or even the private witnesses that anyone else
D was also living/residing with them. Yet another factor has been that while
his wife had died an unnatural death, the appellant was not to be found
nearby and could only be apprehended later at a distant place. These
facts are either undeniable or are clearly established by the prosecution
evidence. Thus, it cannot be said that the prosecution has not discharged
its primary burden of bringing home cogent circumstances pointing
E towards the guilt of the appellant.
14.1. Then, the other links in the aforementioned chain of
circumstances could be iterated as follows: -
(a) The witness PW-1 Md. Akbar Ali, attempted to suggest the
F story that the victim was suffering from illness and had been
hospitalised but did not deny that he had been to the police
station. He admitted having put his signatures on the ejahar
(Ex. 1) which led to the FIR and also on the inquest report
(Ex. 2) but attempted to suggest the so-called imbalance of
his mind, which was only an uncertain pretext.
G
(b) The witnesses PW-2 to PW-6 also attempted to suggest that
the victim was suffering from illness, she was hospitalised,
and she died in the hospital but there had been two basic
snags as regards their testimonies: one, that there was no
corroboration in the form of any evidence to show her
H hospitalisation, if at all any such event had taken place; and
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 759
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

second, that the witnesses PW-3 and PW-4 did not deny their A
signatures on the inquest report (Ex. 2), which was drawn at
the police station. It needs hardly any reiteration that if the
victim had died in the hospital due to illness, neither there
was any occasion to carry her dead body to the police station
nor the dead body would have carried such injuries, which
B
were indicative of physical assault nor there was any reason
for the doctor conducting post-mortem to opine about asphyxia
due to throttling.
(c) The story sought to be suggested by PW-1 to PW-6 about
the illness and hospitalisation of the victim had been of blatant
falsehood and the appellant, in his examination under Section C
313 CrPC, categorically endorsed that story and accepted
the testimony of PW-1 to PW-6 as correct. There had not
been any other explanation by the appellant as regards injuries
on the person of his wife, who was living with him, and about
the cause of her unnatural death with throttling. D
(d) The appellant was admittedly not available at his place of
residence at the relevant time and not even in the village area
but was admittedly away to a different place. Again, the
appellant suggested in his examination under Section 313
CrPC that he had gone to the other place to procure medicines E
for himself. Neither his nature of illness was shown nor he
was found carrying any medicine.
15. The factors as noticed hereinabove may not be decisive of
the matter when taken singularly but, when the entire chain of
circumstances, established by way of undeniable facts and the proven F
facts are juxtaposed with these factors; and all the relevant factors are
joined together, the present one turns out to be a case where the burden
envisaged by Section 106 of the Evidence Act operates heavily against
the appellant.
16. The victim was none other than the wife of the appellant and G
was living with him. Thus, the basic fact as to when did he part with the
company of his wife was within the knowledge of the appellant alone.
He explained nothing in that regard. Secondly, when the appellant’s wife
was found killed with the dead body carrying several injuries and the
cause of death having been asphyxia due to throttling, the appellant was
H
760 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2022] 18 S.C.R.

A required to explain such injuries, which the deceased sustained while
living with him in the same dwelling house. Again, there had not been
any explanation from the appellant. Thirdly, if his wife, who was residing
with him, had been so ill as to be taken to hospital, the facts in that
regard were also especially within the knowledge of the appellant and
he was required to explain the nature of ailment as also the mode and
B
manner by which she was admitted to the hospital. As noticed, there is
no explanation on these aspects from the appellant; rather the narrative
cooked up by the witnesses and picked up by the appellant about the
alleged ailment and hospitalisation of the deceased is found to be of utter
falsehood. Fourthly, if his wife had died and still he had gone to some
C other place, the reason for doing so was also especially within the
knowledge of the appellant alone. The reason as assigned by the appellant
(about his own illness) is also found to be far away from truth.
17. Fact of the matter remains that all the aforesaid facts and
factors, which ought to be in the knowledge of the appellant, are either
D not clarified or the explanation given by the appellant turns out to be
false. Hence, in the given set of facts and circumstances, the legal
consequence is that such omission coupled with such falsehood indeed
provide additional links in the chain of circumstances.
18. Thus, the sum and substance of the matter is that the falsehood
E cooked up by the witnesses (regarding illness and hospitalisation of the
victim) and readily accepted by the appellant coupled with the
undischarged burden of Section 106 of the Evidence Act provide such
strong links in this matter that the chain of circumstances is complete,
leading to the conclusion on the guilt of the appellant beyond any doubt.

F 19. The other submissions, as regards the doubts on site plan (Ex.
3) or on the date of arrest of the appellant or about the place from where
the dead body was carried to the police station, have only been noted to
be rejected. The IO, PW-7, has categorically established that he had
drawn the plan (Ex. 3) at the site and the same could not have been
removed out of consideration merely because of the curable fault that it
G was not annexed with the charge-sheet. The date of arrest also loses its
relevance because the material fact remains undeniable that the appellant
was not found at the place and the area of his dwelling house and had
admittedly gone to Nidanpur, as stated by himself in his statement under
Section 313 CrPC. In our view, the place from where the dead body
H was picked up to be carried to the police station, has hardly any bearing
MD. ANOWAR HUSSAIN v. STATE OF ASSAM 761
[DINESH MAHESHWARI, J.]

in the present case because the only other place suggested by the A
appellant in league with the witnesses PW-1 to PW-6 had been the hospital
where the victim was allegedly admitted. Such a suggestion has been
found to be false to the core. In any case, the dead body was indeed
carried to the police station and the IO made the inquest report (Ex. 2)
at the police station itself.
B
20. Taking all the aforesaid facts and circumstances together, it is
not a case where the motive could have played any decisive role nor it
had been a case where two views were possible. Equally, the present
case had not been of conviction on suspicion alone. Therefore, the other
decisions cited by learned counsel for the appellant do not call for much
dilation in the present case. C

21. For what has been discussed hereinabove, this appeal fails
and is, therefore, dismissed.

Divya Pandey and Anurag Bhaskar Appeal dismissed. D
(Assisted by : Priyanshu Agarwal, LCRA)

E

F

G

H