Jhabua Murder Case -- Indore High Court Acquits Woman, Gives Her Benefit Of Doubt

The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court has acquitted Shailbai, convicted in a 2014 murder case, due to reasonable doubt over her involvement. The Division Bench, consisting of Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Alok Awasthi, set aside the conviction and sentence awarded to Shailbai by the Sessions Court, Jhabua. Initially, the trial court had sentenced her to three years' rigorous imprisonment for house trespass, life imprisonment for murder, and additional fines.

The crime involved the death of Bucha, whose body was found inside his house in Village Gola Chhoti, Jhabua, early on March 2, 2014. According to the prosecution, Shailbai's husband Lachchhu had entered the house with a stone and struck Bucha on the head, while Shailbai allegedly hit him on the hand. However, the High Court observed that the post-mortem examination revealed injuries to Bucha's head and face, as well as internal injuries, but no injury on his hand.

This contradicted Jetabai's testimony, who was the sole eyewitness to the incident. The court also pointed out that the police failed to investigate how the accused allegedly entered the house at night, given that the door was shut. Consequently, the High Court disagreed with the trial court's interpretation of the evidence and set aside Shailbai's conviction, acquitting her of the charges.

The appeal was decided on August 12, 2026, and the court also noted that co-accused Lachchhu had passed away in May 2020 while receiving treatment at MY Hospital, Indore. The appeal was consequently abated on his behalf.