Supreme Court: Appellate Courts Can Reverse Conviction Even Without Accused's Appeal

The Supreme Court has clarified that an appellate court maintains the power to reverse or modify a conviction even if the accused has not explicitly filed a challenge.

The Bench held that under Section 386 CrPC, the interests of justice empower the court to examine the correctness of any finding or sentence. 

The ruling came during an appeal by the State of Assam regarding a murder-rape case.

The Court extended an acquittal to include charges of destroying evidence, ruling that the absence of a formal appeal by the respondent does not denude the court of its jurisdiction to correct legal errors.

[The State of Assam v. Moinul Haque @ Monu]