Dying Declaration Recorded Minutes Before Death Is Substantial Evidence, Minor Contradictions Cannot Be Scrutinised at Bail Stage: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court

The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has held that a dying declaration recorded on a mobile phone shortly before the death of a person and later confirmed by forensic examination to be unedited is substantial admissible evidence under Section 32(1) of the Indian Evidence Act. The Court further ruled that minor contradictions in witness statements cannot be critically examined while deciding a bail application in a serious…