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The Supreme Court overturned a life sentence for murder due to reasonable doubt about the accused's insanity.
The accused, Dashrath Patra, was convicted for killing a man in 2018.
The court rejected police claims that a medical test showed Patra was normal, as the test happened five years after the crime.
The burden to prove insanity lies with the accused, but only reasonable doubt about their mental state is needed for acquittal.
Past court rulings say if there’s reasonable doubt about the accused’s intention or mental condition, they can be acquitted.
Witnesses said Patra had episodes of insanity.
Under Indian law, a person is not guilty if, due to unsound mind at the time, they couldn’t understand their actions or that it was wrong.
The court emphasized that a mentally ill person cannot defend themselves, and defending one’s charge is a basic constitutional right.
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