Chikkegowda vs State of Karnataka 2025 INSC 1213 - Ocular vs Medical Evidence

Criminal Trial - If there is a conflict in the ocular testimony and the medical testimony/evidence, it is the ocular evidence which will prevail unless found to be totally unreliable. (Para 23)

Case Info

  • Case name: Sri Chikkegowda & Ors. v. State of Karnataka Etc.
  • Neutral citation: 2025 INSC 1213.
  • Coram: Vikram Nath, J.; Sanjay Karol, J.; Sandeep Mehta, J.
  • Judgment date: October 07, 2025.

Caselaws and Citations

  • Darbara Singh v. State of Punjab, (2012) 10 SCC 476.
  • State of U.P. v. Hari Chand, (2009) 13 SCC 542.
  • Pruthviraj Jayantibhai Vanol v. Dinesh Dayabhai Vala & Ors, (2022) 18 SCC 683.
  • Muralidhar alias Gidda v. State of Karnataka, (2014) 2 SCC (Crl) 690.
  • Krishna @ Krishnappa v. State of Karnataka, Criminal Appeal No.162 of 2009, dated 14.11.2014.

Statutes/Laws Referred

  • Indian Penal Code, 1860: Sections 143, 147, 148, 324, 302 read with 149; acquittal noted under 326, 354, 341, 307 read with 149.
  • Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973: Section 173(2); Section 161; FIR process and committal to Sessions.
  • Indian Evidence Act, 1872: Section 27 (recoveries at accused’s instance).