Adverse Inference for Withholding Pivotal Material Witnesses:

The prosecution is under a duty to examine witnesses whose evidence goes to the root of the matter and is essential to elicit the truth; withholding a pivotal material witness (such as a school teacher who first uncovered the complaint) without plausible explanation justifies drawing an adverse inference against the prosecution. (Charming Rupon Vs. State of Meghalaya | 2026 INSC 1102)