Legal Analysis: Talari Naresh vs. State of Telangana

Citation: 2026 INSC 486
Court: Supreme Court of India
Bench: Justice N.V. Anjaria & Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra  (Division Bench )
Date of Decision: 13th May , 2026 
Nature of Judgment: Criminal Appeal under Article 136 of the Constitution of India against the judgment of the Telangana High Court confirming conviction for murder and offences under the SC/ST Act.

Synopsis of the Judgment

The appellant was convicted under Sections 302 and 323 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Sections 3(2)(v) and 3(1)(x) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, for allegedly beating the deceased to death with a stone. The prosecution case was based on the testimony of the deceased’s mother (PW1) as an eyewitness, while the other projected eyewitness (PW3) turned hostile. The trial court and the High Court concurrently convicted the appellant. The Supreme Court set aside the conviction, holding that the prosecution evidence was riddled with contradictions, inconsistencies, and discrepancies. The hostile witness’s testimony demolished the prosecution version. The medical evidence (post‑mortem report) contained unexplained discrepancies. The genesis of the incident (elopement and Panchayat) was not proved. The Court reiterated that the evidence of a hostile witness, though admissible, can also be used for acquittal when it inspires credibility. The appellant was acquitted.

1. Basic Information of the Judgment

• Case Title: Talari Naresh vs. State of Telangana

• Criminal Appeal No.: Arising out of SLP(Crl.) No. 13614 of 2025

• Bench: Justice N.V. Anjaria (Division Bench)

• Date of Decision: 2026 (exact date not specified)

• Citation: 2026 INSC 486

• Appeal From: Judgment and order dated 04.02.2025 of the High Court for the State of Telangana at Hyderabad in Criminal Appeal No. 1111 of 2017

2. Legal Framework

Laws and Provisions Involved

• Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC): Sections 302 (murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt)

• Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: Sections 3(1)(x) (intentional insult or intimidation with intent to humiliate a SC/ST member in public view), 3(2)(v) (offence committed against a SC/ST member)

• Indian Evidence Act, 1872: Sections 145 (contradicting a witness with previous statement), 157 (corroboration of former statement), 159 (refreshing memory), 3 (proof of facts)

• Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973: Section 161 (examination of witnesses by police)

Key Precedents Cited

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