HC upholds life term to convicts in VAO murder case
The Madras High Court upheld life sentences for two men convicted in a 2023 murder case while criticizing the ambiguity of medico-legal records. The court directed health officials to ensure that the identity of individuals bringing patients to hospitals is accurately recorded to prevent trial controversies.
Why it matters
This ruling highlights the critical importance of procedural accuracy in medical documentation to ensure the integrity of criminal justice proceedings.
Confirming life sentences awarded to the convicts in the 2023 VAO murder case reported in Thoothukudi district, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has issued directions to the State to ensure accuracy in medico-legal records.
A Division Bench of Justices N. Anand Venkatesh and K.K. Ramakrishnan said in the Accident Register under the column ‘Kondu Vandhavar’ (person who brought the injured/deceased to the hospital), doctors merely mentioned ‘108’ (ambulance service) in several criminal cases.
The court said taking advantage of such entries, the counsel appearing for the defence frequently contended that the injured or deceased was brought only by the 108 Ambulance Service. Therefore, the presence of the prosecution witnesses at that time became doubtful, thereby casting an unwarranted suspicion on their credibility.
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