(BENEFIT OF DOUBT CAN BE EXTENDED AT BAIL STAGE.)


The fundamental principle of universal application in cases dependent on circumstantial evidence is that in order to  justify the inference of guilt of an accused, the incriminating fact must be incompatible with the innocence of the accused and incapable of explanation upon any other reasonable hypothesis than that of his guilt. The cumulative  effect of all these aspects creates a doubt in the genuineness of prosecution version. It is settled principle of law that benefit of doubt can be even extended at bail stage.

(2022 SCMR 1271),