Solitary witness

Conviction can be recorded on the statement of a solitary witness.

FIR though was lodged with a delay of one day but it appeared that the police had received information on the day of the occurrence and the police officials had referred the injured to hospital, therefore, delay in lodging FIR was the fault of SHO (Station House Officer of Police Station)

Complainant had no enmity with the accused to involve him falsely by taking advantage of delay

Sole injured eye-witness had adhered to the prosecution version word by word and had fully supported the prosecution case by giving all necessary details

Medical evidence had corroborated the statement of complainant

Presence of complainant on the spot was also established on the basis of injuries received by him

Prosecution had successfully established the charge against the accused

Appeal was dismissed.

Prosecution case was that the accused was standing in front of the house of deceased and upon being excoriated he fired upon the deceased

Accused was appositely nominated in the promptly lodged FIR

Solitary eye-witness had adhered to the prosecution version word by word and had fully supported the case by giving all necessary details

Testimony of solitary eye-witness itself was not a demerit or disqualification as could call for its repudiation, when otherwise it rang true and inspired confidence

Quality and not the quantity of the evidence had to be seen

Medical evidence was in complete harmony with the ocular testimony

Complainant and eye-witness had no enmity, whatsoever, to falsely depose against the accused

Prosecution had succeeded in proving the charge

Appeal was dismissed.

Confidence inspiring and trustworthy evidence of a sole witness can safely be relied upon for conviction.