Supreme Court Acquits Chennai Man Dashwanth Who Was Sentenced To Death For Rape-Murder Of 7-Year-Old Girl

The Supreme Court overturned the death sentence of Dashwanth, accused in the rape-murder of a 7-year-old girl in Chennai. Reexamining the evidence, the Court found significant lacunae and inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case, including in forensic reports, eyewitness testimony, and other material facts. The Bench held that alternate hypotheses could not be conclusively excluded and that the benefit of doubt must favor the accused in capital cases. Observing investigative and procedural deficiencies, the Court acquitted Dashwanth and ordered his release, highlighting the imperative of strict proof in criminal trials and protection against wrongful capital punishment.