Raees, accused of murdering his wife and three children, granted benefit of doubt as prosecution fails to provide credible evidence
In a significant judgment, the Allahabad High Court has acquitted Raees, who was accused of the gruesome murder of his wife and three children, after serving approximately 23 years in prison. The Division Bench, comprising Justices Siddharth and Jai Krishna Upadhyay, delivered the verdict on February 16, 2026, citing insufficient and inconclusive evidence presented by the prosecution.
The case, which dates back to an incident on the night of August 29-30, 2003, involved the brutal killing of Noor Jahan and her three children. Raees was accused of stabbing them to death following an alleged altercation. The prosecution's case heavily relied on witness testimonies and an extra-judicial confession, which the court found to be fraught with inconsistencies and lacked corroborative evidence.
The court highlighted several contradictions in the statements of key witnesses, including the surviving son, Azim, whose testimony was deemed unreliable due to evidence of tutoring. Furthermore, the court noted that the alleged extra-judicial confession, considered a weak form of evidence, was not supported by credible circumstances.
The court also expressed concerns over procedural lapses, such as the delay in recording witness statements and the lack of credible evidence regarding the recovery of the murder weapon. The postmortem findings, which indicated the use of a heavy sharp-edged weapon, further contradicted the prosecution's claim that the murders were committed with an ordinary knife.
In its judgment, the court emphasized the importance of a fair trial and the need for credible evidence to sustain a conviction, ultimately granting Raees the benefit of doubt. The bench ordered his immediate release, acknowledging the challenges he may face reintegrating into society after such a prolonged incarceration.
The judgment also called for introspection and reforms in the criminal justice delivery system, highlighting the need for increased judicial resources to prevent such miscarriages of justice in the future.
Bottom Line:
Benefit of doubt granted to the accused in a gruesome case of murder due to lack of convincing and conclusive prosecution evidence.
Statutory provision(s): Indian Penal Code, 1860 Section 302, Evidence Act, 1872 Section 25, Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 Section 313
Raees v. State of U.P., (Allahabad)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2859224
