Latest Judgements - March 04, 2025

 

SC: Conviction Based Solely on Handwriting Expert’s Opinion Without Corroboration is Risky

Latest Judgements - March 04, 2025: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India in C. Kamalakkannan v. State of Tamil Nadu (2025 INSC 309) has held that convicting an accused based solely on a handwriting expert’s opinion, without any corroborative evidence, is legally unsound and hazardous.

Case Background

The case revolved around allegations of forgery, where the prosecution heavily relied on a handwriting expert’s analysis to establish the accused’s involvement. However, no independent corroborative evidence was presented to support the claim. Despite this, the trial court and the High Court convicted the accused based primarily on the expert’s testimony.

Supreme Court’s Observations

The Apex Court reiterated that while expert opinions can be valuable in judicial proceedings, they cannot be the sole basis for conviction. The Court emphasized the following key principles:

• Expert testimony requires corroboration – A handwriting expert’s opinion, like any forensic evidence, is not fool proof and must be supported by independent evidence.
• Caution in relying on forensic opinions – Courts must be mindful that scientific analyses, including handwriting examinations, are susceptible to errors.
• Holistic evaluation of evidence – Conviction must be based on a comprehensive assessment of all available evidence rather than relying entirely on expert testimony.

Verdict and Legal Precedent

The Supreme Court set aside the appellant’s conviction, reinforcing the well-established legal position that forensic opinions should aid the judicial process but not be the sole deciding factor in a criminal trial. This ruling serves as a vital precedent, ensuring that expert opinions are used responsibly in the justice system.

This judgment once again highlights the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the principle of fair trial and preventing wrongful convictions based on uncorroborated forensic testimony.

Latest Judgements - March 04, 2025

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