A proved plea of alibi warranted acquittal where the prosecution evidence was doubtful.

The prosecution alleged that, after the complainant rejected the appellant following the discovery of his marriage to another woman, he poured acid on her on 19 July 2006.

The Sessions Court convicted him under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in S.C. No. 806/2007.

He appealed under Section 374(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, disputing the evidence and relying on an alibi supported by HAL employment records and defence testimony.

Whether the prosecution evidence established beyond reasonable doubt that the appellant committed the alleged acid attack

Whether the appellant’s evidence established his plea of alibi so as to warrant setting aside the conviction

The appeal arose from a conviction under Section 307 IPC, which concerns an attempt to murder, and was brought under Section 374(2) CrPC.

The Court assessed the prosecution and defence evidence, including the appellant’s plea of alibi.

The judgment cites no precedent and does not set out a separate statutory test for evaluating alibi.

The Court found material ambiguities in the evidence of the complainant and the alleged eyewitness: the complainant’s account of identifying the assailant was unclear, while the second witness did not identify the appellant as the attacker.

It also noted that the chemical-shop owner and other witnesses did not support material parts of the prosecution case.

In contrast, HAL records and oral evidence supported the defence that the appellant was at the workplace during the relevant period; the Court found that evidence had not been discredited.

On that basis, it held that the appellant had established his alibi and that the conviction could not stand.

Any bail bonds were cancelled.