Rajasthan High Court Acquits Arjun Singh, Citing Lack of Evidence in High-Profile Murder Case
Conviction Overturned; Court Criticizes Prosecution for Incomplete Circumstantial Evidence
In a landmark judgment delivered on October 3, 2025, the Rajasthan High Court acquitted Arjun Singh, who was previously sentenced to death by the Trial Court for the alleged murder and sexual assault of two minors. The division bench, comprising Justices Vinit Kumar Mathur and Anuroop Singhi, found the prosecution's case against Arjun Singh to be lacking in credible evidence, leading to the reversal of his conviction.
The case, which had captured significant public attention, involved the tragic deaths of two siblings, aged 13 and 10, who were found dead on May 3, 2023, near a river in District Pali. The prosecution had relied heavily on circumstantial evidence, including the recovery of blood-stained clothing and an alleged murder weapon from Arjun Singh's residence. However, the High Court noted that the chain of circumstantial evidence was incomplete and failed to point solely to the guilt of the accused.
The judgment highlighted several shortcomings in the prosecution's case, including the absence of independent witnesses, inconclusive forensic reports, and a failure to establish a motive. The court observed that the recovery of the weapon and clothes lacked credibility due to the absence of independent verification, raising doubts about the reliability of the evidence presented.
Additionally, the court criticized the trial court for awarding a death sentence without sufficient evidence to place the case in the "rarest of rare" category. The judgment emphasized the foundational legal principle that the burden of proof lies with the prosecution to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, which was not met in this case.
The High Court's decision to acquit Arjun Singh underscores the importance of adhering to rigorous standards of evidence in criminal cases, particularly when the stakes involve capital punishment. The judgment directs the immediate release of Arjun Singh from custody, subject to a personal bond under Section 437A of the Cr.P.C.
Bottom Line:
Criminal Law - Conviction based solely on circumstantial evidence - Chain of evidence must be complete, unimpeachable, and exclude every hypothesis other than the guilt of the accused.
Statutory provision(s): Indian Penal Code, Sections 302 and 376AB; Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, Sections 5m/6 and 3/4; Indian Evidence Act, Section 27; Code of Criminal Procedure, Section 366 and Section 437A.
State of Rajasthan v. Arjun Singh, (Rajasthan)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2791612
