Meghalaya HC acquits woman in 2015 husband murder case, cites lack of proof
The high court has now quashed both the conviction and sentence and directed her immediate release if she is not wanted in any other case
The Meghalaya high court has acquitted a woman serving a life sentence for the 2015 murder of her husband, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. The conviction of Jenorin D Sangma rested entirely on circumstantial evidence, which the court deemed insufficient for a conviction. The high court quashed both the conviction and sentence, directing her immediate release.
The woman had been convicted by a sessions judge in February 2020 for the murder of Dhantaru Mushahary, based on a confession given in 2017. However, the court found serious issues with the confession, the chain of evidence, and the lack of corroborative evidence. The court also rejected the statement from a co-accused, which did not implicate the appellant.
Additionally, the recovery of the body was not legally established, and no DNA examination was conducted to confirm the remains were those of the deceased husband. The high court directed the appellant's release and ordered a report on compensation for the deceased's minor children.
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