Supreme Court of India upholds life imprisonment in Jemaben vs State of Gujarat (2025 INSC 1268).
SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS LIFE SENTENCE IN JEMABEN CASE
CASE SUMMARY – In Jemaben vs The State of Gujarat (2025 INSC 1268), the Supreme Court upheld Jemaben’s conviction under Section 302 IPC for burning her niece-in-law, Leelaben, alive. The Trial Court had acquitted her citing contradictions in multiple dying declarations, but the High Court convicted her relying on the first declaration made to a doctor. The Supreme Court agreed that this declaration, corroborated by medical and physical evidence such as kerosene smell and burn patterns, was credible. Minor inconsistencies were held immaterial. The appeal was dismissed, affirming Jemaben’s life imprisonment.
| ASPECTS | DETAILS |
| Case Title | Jemaben vs The State of Gujarat, 2025 INSC 1268 |
| Introduction | The case involves an appeal by Jemaben against her conviction by the Gujarat High Court for murder under Section 302 IPC. The Supreme Court assessed whether the conviction based on multiple dying declarations was sustainable. |
| Factual Background | Jemaben, along with a co-accused, was charged with burning her niece-in-law, Leelaben, alive by pouring kerosene on her in 2004. Leelaben later succumbed to her injuries. The Trial Court acquitted the accused citing inconsistencies, but the High Court reversed this decision and convicted Jemaben. |
| Legal Issues | Whether the High Court erred in reversing the acquittal by relying on one dying declaration despite discrepancies in others. |
| Applicable Law |
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| Analysis | The Supreme Court noted that the first dying declaration made to an independent doctor (PW-3) was consistent, voluntary, and corroborated by physical evidence such as kerosene smell and burn patterns. Minor discrepancies in other declarations were not fatal. |
| Conclusion | The appeal was dismissed. The conviction under Section 302 IPC was upheld. The Court found the dying declaration reliable and consistent with medical and forensic evidence. |
| Current Scenario | As of October 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the Gujarat High Court’s conviction. Jemaben remains sentenced to life imprisonment with fine. |
“Minor inconsistencies in dying declarations do not overshadow credible, corroborated evidence.”
SOURCE – SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
READ ALSO – Sections 302, 307, 436, 34, 120B of IPC
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