The Madhya Pradesh High Court has reinforced the significance of a child’s testimony, ruling that age alone should not invalidate their evidence. Upholding a conviction in a murder case, the court relied on the testimony of an 8-year-old child who witnessed the crime firsthand.
In its judgment, the Division Bench of Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Hirdesh emphasized that a child’s testimony should not be dismissed outright. Instead, it should undergo meticulous scrutiny to assess its quality and reliability. Citing legal precedents such as Wheeler v. United States and Suryanarayana v. State of Karnataka, the court highlighted that competency is not solely determined by age but by the child’s ability to comprehend and respond logically.
Addressing the defense’s argument regarding the child witness being tutored and biased due to familial ties, the court found the testimony to be consistent and credible. Even under cross-examination, the child’s account remained steadfast, reinforcing its reliability.
The court also considered corroborating evidence, including testimonies from the child’s grandparents and forensic reports implicating the accused. Despite attempts to discredit the witnesses and challenge the evidence, the court upheld the conviction, affirming the guilt of the accused.
Furthermore, the court clarified that familial relations between the witness and the involved parties do not inherently invalidate their testimony.
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