Material omissions in prior police statements may undermine later testimony

A witness attributed an additional act to the appellant in court. That act was not recorded in the witness’s Section 161 statement. The witness was confronted with the omission in cross-examination. The Court treated the omission as significant in the circumstances. The appellant had not initially been arrayed as an accused. He was later summoned under Section 319 Cr.P.C. The late and uncorroborated allegation weakened the prosecution case. The Court did not accept it as sufficient proof of involvement. Jaswinder Singh @ Shinder Singh v. State of Punjab | 2026 INSC 23