Supreme Court reaffirms the Panchsheel Test for circumstantial evidence

The Supreme Court has reaffirmed the Panchsheel Test for establishing circumstantial evidence in Shail Kumari vs The State Of Chhattisgarh delivered on 6 August 2025. A bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and K. Vinod Chandran allowed the present appeal and found the Trial Court’s decision based on conjectures and surmises.

The appellant was alleged to have drowned her two children as per circumstantial evidence. The Court referred to the ratio in Shivaji Sahabrao Bobade v. State of Maharashtra wherein the five tests for proof of circumstantial evidence was put forward: (1) the accused must be proven guilty and not on conjectures, (2) established facts must be consistent with guilt of the accused, (3) the evidence needs to be of conclusive nature, (4) all other possible hypothesis needs to be removed from speculation and lastly, (5) the chain of evidence must not carry reasonable doubts. 

This is a precedence in appellate reversal of lifetime imprisonment conviction on account of insufficient evidence. The bench found no link between the appellant and the crime in question and the testimony to be highly unreliable and hearsay evidence. The three kinds of witness classification in the case of Vadivelu Thevar was referred to:(i) wholly reliable, (ii) wholly unreliable, and (iii) neither wholly reliable nor wholly unreliable. 

The law laid down in Sharad Birdhichand Sarda requires the prosecution to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt to demonstrate a chain of circumstances that is so inextricably connected to exclude all other possible deviations from the truth alleged. The Court found no such connections in the present appeal. Therefore, the impugned judgement by the Trial Court dated 18th June 2004 was quashed and set aside.

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Legal and Compliance Associate Hyderabad – Join D. E. Shaw India

Legal and Compliance Associate Hyderabad – D. E. Shaw India is Hiring

D. E. Shaw India, a part of the global D. E. Shaw Group, is seeking a talented and detail-oriented Legal and Compliance Associate in Hyderabad. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work with one of the world’s leading investment and technology development firms in a high-impact legal capacity.

If you have 3–4 years of experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts, IP agreements, and licensing documentation, and want to contribute to legal operations at a global level, this position offers strong career growth and international exposure.

About D. E. Shaw India

The D. E. Shaw Group is a global investment and technology firm with more than $60 billion in investment capital. Its India office plays a critical role in supporting core business operations across legal, compliance, research, and technology functions.

As a Legal and Compliance Associate in Hyderabad, you will work closely with both local and global legal teams to manage end-to-end contracts and ensure regulatory compliance for commercial engagements, software licensing, and intellectual property matters.

Position Overview

  • Role: Legal and Compliance Associate
  • Location: Hyderabad, India
  • Experience Required: 3–4 years in legal drafting, negotiation, and compliance
  • Industry: Finance, Technology, and Legal Services

Key Responsibilities

As a Legal and Compliance Associate Hyderabad, your daily responsibilities will include:

  • Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide variety of contracts, including:
    • Software and data license agreements
    • SaaS and subscription contracts
    • Consulting and professional services agreements
    • Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
    • Event and vendor contracts
  • Contract lifecycle management:
    • Tracking, maintaining, and updating records of executed contracts
    • Ensuring timely renewals, compliance monitoring, and approvals
  • Cross-border collaboration:
    • Coordinating with global legal and business teams on legal processes
    • Advising internal stakeholders on risk, regulatory exposure, and legal best practices
  • Compliance support:
    • Supporting internal audits, regulatory filings, and legal risk mitigation
    • Working on projects related to data privacy, vendor due diligence, and contract compliance

Qualifications

To be considered for the Legal and Compliance Associate Hyderabad role, you must have:

  • A Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B.) from a recognized institution
  • A strong academic record
  • 3–4 years of post-qualification experience in corporate legal teams or top law firms
  • Proven skills in:
    • Legal drafting and contract negotiation
    • Commercial and licensing agreements
    • Intellectual property and software licensing
    • Communication and collaboration with internal clients
    • Project and stakeholder management

Candidates with exposure to global contract structures and multi-jurisdictional matters will be preferred.

What Makes This Role Unique

This role offers:

  • The opportunity to work in a multinational legal environment
  • Exposure to cross-border legal frameworks and contract systems
  • A fast-paced, intellectually stimulating work culture
  • Competitive compensation and benefits
  • The backing of a highly respected international brand

At D. E. Shaw India, innovation, ethics, and excellence are at the core of everything. If you are a legal professional who thrives in structured yet dynamic environments and loves working on contracts that impact global operations, this role is for you.

How to Apply

Apply directly here: https://lnkd.in/gK4j28dZ

Make sure your application includes:

  • Updated CV
  • A short cover letter (optional, but recommended)
  • A summary of your contract drafting/negotiation experience

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the HR or legal recruitment team at D. E. Shaw India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is this a remote or hybrid position?
A: This is a full-time, in-office role based in Hyderabad.

Q: Are software/IP-related contracts a key part of the work?
A: Yes, managing software licensing and data/IP agreements is a central part of this role.

Q: Is prior experience in a global team necessary?
A: Not mandatory, but preferred. Cross-border collaboration is a key part of this position.

Q: What’s the reporting structure?
A: You will report to the legal leadership in India while coordinating with global counterparts.

Conclusion

The Legal and Compliance Associate Hyderabad role at D. E. Shaw India offers legal professionals the chance to be part of a world-class legal team, working on high-stakes, global matters. If you have experience with contract law, compliance frameworks, and a keen eye for legal risk management, don’t miss this opportunity.


Be a part of something bigger. Shape global legal operations with D. E. Shaw.


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