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 Courtโ€™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.

Join Our WhatsApp Channel for Opportunity Updates

Get Daily Updates

Join our Telegram Channel for Opportunity Updates

Get Daily Updates

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Article

Legal Internship Opportunity at Advocate Aman Oberoiโ€™s Office โ€“ Apply Now

Are you a law student seeking practical exposure in courts, tribunals, and real-time legal drafting? Hereโ€™s a valuable legal internship opportunity in West Delhi that offers just thatโ€”and more. Advocate Aman Oberoi, a respected Panel Counsel for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), NBFCs, and banks, is inviting applications for two legal interns for the month of August.

This internship is a great chance for law students to go beyond textbooks and experience the real workings of Indian courts and tribunals firsthand.

About Advocate Aman Oberoi

Advocate Aman Oberoi is an experienced and dynamic legal professional actively practicing across Delhi. As a Panel Counsel for MCD, he regularly represents cases at the Central Administrative Tribunal, Delhi District Courts, and occasionally the Delhi High Court. Additionally, his work with NBFCs and banks includes commercial litigation, arbitration, and enforcement actions.

This internship will provide you with invaluable exposure to diverse areas of law including administrative law, civil litigation, banking disputes, and tribunal practice.

Internship Details

Internship Type:

Offline (In-office + court visits)

Number of Positions:

2 (Only for August 2025)

Location:

Mansarovar Garden, West Delhi (Near Rajouri Garden)

Who Can Apply?

This legal internship in West Delhi is ideal for law students who meet the following criteria:

  • Have a good command over legal drafting and research.
  • Are motivated to learn, travel and gain hands-on courtroom exposure.
  • Are comfortable with travelling to District Courts, Tribunals, and the Delhi High Court.
  • Preferably reside in or around West Delhi, as preference will be given to local candidates.

Whether you’re in your 3rd, 4th, or 5th year of law school, this internship is a good opportunity to explore litigation and real-world client interactions.

What Will You Do?

Interns will be involved in the following activities:

  • Assisting in drafting legal documents such as petitions, applications, and replies.
  • Conducting legal research on ongoing matters.
  • Attending court hearings and assisting in file management and preparation.
  • Observing advocacy strategies, cross-examinations, and client counseling sessions.
  • Gaining insights into tribunal procedures and administrative law practices.

This will help you develop the essential soft and hard skills needed to work as a litigation lawyer in India.

Why Should You Apply?

1. Mentorship and Learning

Working under Advocate Aman Oberoi means youโ€™ll be mentored by someone actively engaged with multiple government and private panels. Youโ€™ll be closely guided on the practical aspects of legal drafting, case strategy, and litigation workflow.

2. Exposure Across Forums

You will not be restricted to just one type of court. Be it District Court, CAT, or Delhi High Court, this internship will expose you to multiforum legal practiceโ€”a rare opportunity for young law aspirants.

3. Flexible Timings

Unlike many rigid internships, this one offers flexibility in work hours, making it easier to balance your studies or commute if needed.

4. Certification

Interns who successfully complete the program will receive an internship certificate, which can add value to your resume, especially if you’re inclined towards litigation or administrative law in the future.

Application Process

Interested candidates must follow these steps:

  • Email your CV and a short cover letter explaining your motivation to intern with Advocate Aman Oberoi.
  • Use the subject line: โ€œApplication for Internship โ€“ August 2025โ€
  • Email to: oberoiaman.adv@gmail.com

Important Note:

Applications without a proper subject line or cover letter may be rejected. Make sure to demonstrate your enthusiasm, availability, and suitability in the cover letter.

Deadline & Preferences

  • Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until both positions are filled.
  • Preference will be given to candidates living in West Delhi due to proximity to the office and court locations.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a law student eager to break into litigation, courtroom experience is non-negotiable. This legal internship in West Delhi with Advocate Aman Oberoi will immerse you in the high-paced, intellectually stimulating world of litigation and administrative law. From drafting legal notices to attending hearings, youโ€™ll learn to think like a lawyerโ€”not just a student.

Apply now and take your first confident step into the real world of law.

Join Our WhatsApp Channel for Opportunity Updates

Get Daily Updates

Join our Telegram Channel for Opportunity Updates

Get Daily Updates

Next Article

Contact Us

For Submitting a Post

contact@lawdrishti.com

For Banner ads & admission campaigns

advertise@lawdrishti.com

Timing

Hours: 9 AM โ€“ 9 PM (Mon-Sat)

See the below animation to allow notifications.

Start getting Lawdrishti updates useful for you!

Contact Us

For Submitting a Post

For Banner ads & admission campaigns

Contact us
For Submitting a Post
For Banner ads & admission campaigns
Timing

Hours: 9 AM โ€“ 9 PM (Mon-Sat)