Supreme Court sets aside conviction in Thammineni Bhaskar murder case.
SUPREME COURT ACQUITS THAMMINENI BHASKAR IN ANDHRA PRADESH MURDER CASE
CASE SUMMARY – The Supreme Court of India in Thammineni Bhaskar vs. State of Andhra Pradesh, 2025 allowed the appeal against convictions under IPC Sections 302, 364, and 201. Bhoominadhan, an auto driver, was allegedly kidnapped and killed following prior disputes. However, key witnesses turned hostile, and no credible evidence proved that the accused was last seen with the deceased or committed the crime. Applying the five golden principles for circumstantial evidence, the Court ruled that the prosecution failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, the convictions by the Trial Court and High Court were set aside, and Bhaskar was acquitted.
| ASPECTS | DETAILS |
| Case Title | Thammineni Bhaskar vs. The State of Andhra Pradesh, 2025 |
| Introduction | Supreme Court criminal appeal challenging concurrent convictions under IPC Sections 302, 364, and 201. |
| Factual Background | Deceased Bhoominadhan, an auto driver, was allegedly abducted and murdered on 26.03.2016. Prior altercations and FIRs existed between the parties. Key witnesses PW-5 and PW-6 turned hostile, weakening the prosecution. |
| Legal Issues | Whether circumstantial evidence and hostile witnesses suffice to convict for murder and kidnapping under IPC Sections 302 and 364. |
| Applicable Law | Indian Penal Code Sections 302 (murder), 364 (kidnapping), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence); standards for circumstantial evidence (five golden principles/panchsheel). |
| Analysis | The Supreme Court held that without reliable eyewitness or circumstantial evidence proving last-seen theory or kidnapping, guilt cannot be established. Hostile witnesses failed to confirm key allegations. |
| Conclusion | Conviction set aside; appellant acquitted of all charges. |
| Current Scenario | Appellant Thammineni Bhaskar ordered to be released forthwith on 17 September 2025, unless wanted in another case. |
“Prosecution miserably failed to prove the commission of the offence at the hands of the accused.”
SOURCE – SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
READ ALSO – Indian Penal Code
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