Acquitted 45 years on, after serving life term; murder in 1977, conviction 1981, clean chit 2026

The Supreme Court acquitted three surviving accused in a 1977 murder case after they served life imprisonment.

The court found serious infirmities in the prosecution case and inconsistencies in witness testimonies.

Two accused died during the case; Hiral Lal served his full sentence after bail was denied in 2013.

The court granted benefit of doubt, holding that the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The trial court and Allahabad High Court had erroneously relied on unreliable eyewitness testimony.