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Supreme Court of India2021(2021) 7 SCC 287Criminalimportant
Sujit Kumar Rana v. State of Bihar
Sujit Kumar RanavsState of Bihar
2-Judge Bench
Criminal Law
Child WitnessCompetency of WitnessMurderSingle Witness ConvictionEvidence
Core Ruling / Ratio Decidendi
Testimony of a child witness is admissible and can be the sole basis for conviction. The court must assess the child's capacity to understand, observe, and communicate facts. Competency of a child witness is tested by the court before recording his deposition.
Judgment Summary
English
Held that the testimony of a single eyewitness, even a child witness, is sufficient for conviction in murder cases if the witness is credible and consistent. Child witnesses are not per se unreliable. Courts must evaluate child testimony carefully.
हिंदी (Hindi)
हत्या मामलों में एक बाल प्रत्यक्षदर्शी की गवाही पर्याप्त है यदि वह विश्वसनीय और सुसंगत हो। बाल गवाह अपने आप में अविश्वसनीय नहीं। न्यायालय बाल गवाही का सावधानी से मूल्यांकन करे।