Fri Oct 10 23:36:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
S. Dashwanth, 30, accused of the 2017 sexual assault and murder of a seven-year-old girl in Chennai, was released from prison after eight years of incarceration. The Supreme Court overturned his conviction citing significant flaws in the trial process, including inadequate legal representation and unreliable evidence.
**News Article:**
**Supreme Court Acquits Man in 2017 Chennai Murder Case, Citing Trial Lapses**
**Chennai, October 11, 2025** – S. Dashwanth, 30, who was convicted of the sexual assault and murder of a seven-year-old girl in Chennai’s Mangadu area in 2017, was released from Puzhal Central Prison on Thursday night following a Supreme Court order overturning his conviction.
Dashwanth had been imprisoned for eight years after his arrest. In 2018, a Mahila Court in Chengalpattu sentenced him to death, a verdict upheld by the Madras High Court.
However, the Supreme Court, in its recent judgment, highlighted critical flaws in the trial and investigation. The court pointed to the absence of competent legal representation for Dashwanth and significant inconsistencies in the evidence presented, including missing CCTV footage and dubious witness testimonies.
“Following the receipt of the Supreme Court’s acquittal order, prison authorities completed the formalities and released Dashwanth from Puzhal Prison on Thursday night, ending his eight-year incarceration,” prison officials confirmed.
The controversial acquittal has sparked outrage among some, while others are calling for a review of the investigation and trial procedures. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the fairness and efficacy of the legal system.
First Piper 