A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath observed that the evidence presented was insufficient, the CCTV footage did not clearly establish the accused’s identity, and the DNA test results were inconclusive.
Published Oct 08, 2025 | 12:11 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 08, 2025 | 12:11 PM
Supreme Court
Synopsis: The case dates back to 2017, when Hasini, the daughter of Babu from Madhanandhapuram near Porur, went missing. Police investigations revealed that her neighbour, techie Dhasvanth, had sexually assaulted, murdered, and burnt the child’s body. He was arrested, and a case was filed under the Goondas Act.
The Supreme Court has set aside the death sentence awarded to S Dhasvanth, convicted in the rape and murder of six-year-old Hasini near Porur, Chennai, ruling that the prosecution had failed to conclusively prove the crime.
A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath observed that the evidence presented was insufficient, the CCTV footage did not clearly establish the accused’s identity, and the DNA test results were inconclusive. Citing the benefit of the doubt, the court acquitted Dhasvanth and ordered his immediate release.
The incident dates back to 2017, when Hasini, the daughter of Babu from Madhanandhapuram near Porur, went missing. Police investigations revealed that her neighbour, techie Dhasvanth, had sexually assaulted, murdered, and burnt the child’s body. He was arrested, and a case was filed under the Goondas Act.
Later, after the high court revoked the detention, Dhasvanth was released on bail. He then allegedly murdered his mother, reportedly over financial issues. He was re-arrested in Mumbai by a special police team.
After the mother’s death, Dhasvanth’s father disowned him. The father had been stoutly supporting him after Hasini’s murder. It was alleged that the man escaped with his mother’s jewellery, which he shared with his jailmates David and James.
Dhasvanth’s father later told his friends that he had made a mistake in helping his son come out on bail, a mistake that took his wife’s life. Dhasvanth reportedly told investigators that he had planned to murder his father, too, but could not carry out the plan since the older man returned home late from work.
In the Hasini murder case, a Chengalpattu Mahila Court sentenced him to death, and the Madras High Court upheld the conviction, noting that the charges were proven beyond doubt.
However, the Supreme Court, which had earlier stayed his execution while hearing his appeal for clemency, has now quashed both the trial court and high court verdicts, citing failure to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
