Circumstantial evidence and poisoning: SC reiterates that guilt is sustained only by a complete chain excluding innocence.

Circumstantial evidence can sustain a conviction under Section 328 IPC only when the links form a complete chain excluding innocence and leaving no reasonable hypothesis other than guilt. Applying that standard, the SC noted that the accused was asked to bring aspirin, supplied two packets, one contained strychnine, the victim immediately showed poisoning symptoms, and the accused falsely denied having strychnine in stock. It held that the Sessions Court erred by relying on remote possibilities instead of a practical assessment of the evidence, and the conviction was upheld.

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Issues: Whether the conviction under Section 328 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 was sustainable on the circumstantial evidence and whether any reasonable doubt displaced the inference of guilt.

Analysis: The circumstances established that the accused was asked to bring aspirin, that he supplied two packets, that one packet contained strychnine, that the victim immediately experienced the symptoms of poisoning, and that the accused falsely denied the availability of strychnine in stock. The Court held that the Sessions Court had erred by speculating on remote possibilities instead of assessing the evidence in a practical manner. It reiterated that circumstantial evidence can sustain conviction only when the links form a complete chain excluding innocence and leaving no reasonable hypothesis other than guilt.

Conclusion: The conviction was upheld and the appeal was dismissed.

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