February 26, 2025: In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India sentenced a man to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife, relying on the testimony of their 7-year-old daughter. The ruling overturned a previous Madhya Pradesh High Court decision that had acquitted the accused, dismissing the child’s statement.

A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra emphasized that the law does not prescribe a minimum age for a witness, as per the Indian Evidence Act. The court stated that the testimony of a child witness stands on par with that of an adult, provided it is credible and free from external influence.

"The only precaution courts should take while evaluating a child's testimony is ensuring reliability, as children are susceptible to tutoring," the bench observed. However, the apex court cautioned against outright rejection of child testimonies over minor discrepancies, underscoring the need for careful scrutiny.

The SC also acknowledged concerns regarding child witnesses being easily influenced but maintained that if a child's statement is found credible and uninfluenced, courts must consider it while determining an accused’s guilt. The ruling reinforces the importance of protecting vulnerable witnesses while ensuring justice prevails.