While relying on ‘last seen theory’ in a case based on circumstantial evidence, the evidence on the time at which the deceased was lastly seen with the accused has to be proved conclusively, the Supreme Court reiterated recently.
“In a case rested on circumstantial evidence and ‘last seen’ theory is relied on as a link in the chain of circumstances, the evidence relating the time at which the deceased was lastly seen with the accused has to be proved conclusively as when it is proximate with the time of finding the dead body the burden to establish the innocence would be that of the accused”, a Bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and CT Ravikumar observed.