Gaddam Laxmikanth & Anr. vs. State of Telangana on 10 July, 2023
High Court of High Court for State of Telangana10 Jul 2023
Case Name: Gaddam Laxmikanth & Anr. vs. State of Telangana on 10 July, 2023 Court: High Court of Telangana at Hyderabad Date of Judgment: 10 July, 2023 Bench: Justice K. Lakshman & Justice P. Sree Sudha Subject: Criminal Appeal – Murder, Rape, Robbery Key Legal Propositions 1. Conviction based on extra-judicial confession requires corroborating evidence, particularly when witnesses turn hostile. 2. Prosecution must establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and lapses in investigation and contradictory evidence can lead to acquittal. 3. A finding of rape requires sufficient evidence; presumptions and conjectures are insufficient for conviction under Section 376 IPC. Judgment Summary Background: This Criminal Appeal arises from a judgment dated 11.02.2015, convicting the Appellants (A.1 & A.2) for offences including rape (Section 376 IPC), murder (Section 302 IPC), and robbery (Section 380 IPC). The conviction was based primarily on an extra-judicial confession made to P.W.4 and circumstantial evidence. The Appellants contended that the trial court failed to consider the lack of motive, inconsistencies in evidence, and the absence of crucial links. Held: A. On Conviction & E