Raveendran Surendran alias ‘Bole’ vs. Hon. Attorney General – CA/HCC/0315/2016-2025

In the case between Raveendran Surendran alias “Bole” and the Hon. Attorney General, the court addressed the issue of whether the conviction for murder, based on circumstantial evidence and the “Last Seen” theory, was sustainable on appeal. It was determined that the evidence, including witness testimonies and forensic findings, cumulatively established the appellant’s culpability beyond reasonable doubt. The court further held that the amendment to Section 53 (regarding the death sentence for offenders under 18) did not have retrospective effect and, therefore, did not apply to the appellant. The appellate court reaffirmed the principle that circumstantial evidence may support a conviction where it forms a consistent and compelling chain pointing to the accused’s guilt. The appellate deci