Fleeing drowning scene not proof of culpability, says SC; acquits 2 held guilty of killing friend

NEW DELHI: Observing that the human mind can sometimes act foolishly, especially in the face of unpredictable adversity, Supreme Court has said that such behaviour cannot be the sole basis of conviction and acquitted two men who had been held guilty of killing their friend.

They were convicted by trial court and high court because their friend drowned in a river in their presence and instead of trying to rescue him, they left the spot and went to watch a movie, actions which were held as evidence of their culpability.