Suspicion Cannot Replace Legal Proofs: Uttarakhand HC Acquits Man in Suicide Case

• Uttarakhand High Court observed that strong suspicion cannot replace evidence in legal proceedings.
• Justice Ashish Naithani made the observation while hearing an appeal in a 2004 suicide case from Udham Singh Nagar.
• The High Court acquitted Sunil Dutt Pathak, who was convicted under IPC Section 306 (abetment of suicide).
• Pathak's wife committed suicide in 2004; the Sessions Court had convicted him for abetment to suicide, sentencing him to seven years.
• The defense argued no direct provocation or suicide note, stating marital discord isn't abetment.