Vijayaraja Vijayakumar vs The Hon. Attorney General – CA/HCC/0060/2024-2025

The court addressed the issue of the credibility and reliability of prosecution evidence in the context of a conviction for heroin possession and trafficking. It was held that the evidence presented by the prosecution, particularly the testimony of the primary witness (PW1), did not establish the accused’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The principle reaffirmed was that the standard of proof in criminal proceedings requires credible and convincing evidence, with the prosecution bearing the responsibility to meet this burden. The decision relied on the test of probability, applicable evidentiary principles, and relevant case law, emphasizing that doubts in the case must operate in favor of the accused, maintaining the integrity of criminal justice standards.

B. Sasi Mahendran, J. — The