Precedent-setting ruling: SC allows crime victims, their heirs to appeal against acquittal

Till now, in the case of acquittal of an accused by trial court or high court, either the state or complainant had the right to file an appeal. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and K V Viswanathan last week extended the right to appeal against acquittal of accused to two more categories of people – those who suffered injury or losses in the crime and legal heirs of victims of the crime.