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Punjab and Haryana High Court acquits Rohtak man in nephew’s 2014 murder case: ‘entitled to benefit of doubt’

Punjab and Haryana High Court said circumstantial evidence fell short of proving the guilt of the Rohtak main in the murder case beyond a reasonable doubt.

3 min readChandigarhJan 13, 2026 01:17 PM IST

A division bench of Justice Lisa Gill and Justice Meenakshi I Mehta set aside the 2015 trial court conviction of Surajmal under sections 302 and 449 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Section 25 of the Arms Act. (Unsplash)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court Monday acquitted a Rohtak man convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his nephew in December 2014, saying that the prosecution’s case rested entirely on circumstantial evidence and the chain of circumstances was incomplete.

“In our considered opinion, in the given facts and circumstances, the appellant is entitled to the benefit of doubt. Prosecution has been unable to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt,” the bench said.

Naveen was found shot dead in his room in Mayna village in Rohtak on the morning of December 2, 2014. Initially, his brother Paramjeet reported the murder by unknown persons, citing an old grudge. Later the same day, the victim’s mother, Saroj Bala, expressed suspicion against Surajmal, alleging a property dispute involving two shops and a house in Ekta Colony, Rohtak.

The prosecution relied on Saroj Bala’s claim that she had seen the accused leaving the house around midnight, a disclosure statement said to have led to the recovery of a country-made pistol and an empty cartridge, and an alleged motive linked to rent collection.

The bench found no material on record to substantiate the alleged property dispute. It noted material improvements in Saroj Bala’s testimony before the court compared to her initial police statement and described her explanation for the delay in naming the accused as unsupported.

The bench also expressed doubt over the recovery of the weapon, observing that “recovery of said weapon and cartridge itself is suspect in the given facts and circumstances”, particularly as the place of recovery was accessible to all.

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Additionally, the bench noted that the deceased was involved in six to seven criminal cases, a factor that assumed significance when considered alongside the other circumstances.

Applying the principles laid down by the Supreme Court on cases based on circumstantial evidence, the bench held that the circumstances did not form a complete chain pointing only to the guilt of the accused. The bench allowed the appeal, set aside the conviction and sentence, and ordered Surajmal to be released forthwith, if not required in any other case.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More