The settled principle by now is that once the presence of a chance witness is found to be doubtful

The settled principle by now is that once the presence of a chance witness is found to be doubtful, the same is sufficient to discard the testimony as a whole. Reliance is placed on case titled “Mst. RUKHSANA BEGUM and others versus SAJJAD and others” (2017 SCMR 596), wherein it has been held as under:-

“A single doubt reasonably showing that a witness/witnesses’ presence on the crime spot was doubtful when a tragedy takes place would be sufficient to discard his/their testimony as a whole. This principle may be pressed into service in cases such witness/witnesses are seriously inimical or appears to be a chance witness because judicial mind would remain disturbed about the truthfulness of the testimony of such witnesses provided in a murder case, is a fundamental principle of our criminal justice system.”

Part Of Judgment of
Lahore High Court
Criminal Appeal
703-J-09