MOOT COURT ASSOCIATION

TRIAL ADVOCACY
COMPETITION

INTRA UNIVERSITY
LAW FEST 2.O

Proposition
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNDISPUTED FACTS ............................................................................................................ 2

ANNEXURE 1: REMAND FOR JUDICIAL CUSTODY ................................................... 4

ANNEXURE 2: SUMMONS TO THE ACCUSED PERSONS ........................................... 6

ANNEXURE 3: SUMMONS TO THE WITNESSES........................................................... 7

ANNEXURE 4: DENIAL OF GUILT ORDER ..................................................................... 9

ANNEXURE 5: COMMITTAL ORDER ............................................................................. 11

ANNEXURE 6: FIRST INFORMATION REPORT .......................................................... 12

ANNEXURE 7: INQUEST REPORT .................................................................................. 15

ANNEXURE 8: PROPERTY SEIZURE MEMO ............................................................... 17

ANNEXURE 9: FINAL REPORT ........................................................................................ 20

ANNEXURE 10: SCENE OF OFFENCES – PANCHNAMA ........................................... 23

ANNEXURE 11: POSTMORTEM REPORT ..................................................................... 24

ANNEXURE 12: FORENSIC LAB REPORT .................................................................... 26

ANNEXURE 13: TOXICOLOGY REPORT ...................................................................... 28

WITNESS STATEMENTS – PROSECUTION .................................................................. 29

WITNESS STATEMENTS – DEFENCE (Aide Memoire) ................................................ 32

 UNDISPUTED FACTS

1. In the republic of Sindia, there exist a miraculous city where all the babies are born
either as identical or non-identical twins. It is nowhere but the city of Mayavaram in
the State of Dholakpur. James Paul and Larry Paul are identical twin brothers who were
born on 3rd March, 1991, in Mayavaram. The elder brother, James Paul is a budding
actor whereas the younger brother is an industrialist who has an aluminium refinery
factory.

2. James is married to a beautiful and dedicated journalist named Cynthia, and together
they have a 13-year-old daughter, Evie. However, tensions begin to rise around Evie’s
13th birthday when James’s brother, Larry, was found to be releasing industrial-grade
effluents directly into the river without proper treatment. As a responsible journalist,
Cynthia investigated the issue and published an article exposing the environmental
violations, which sparked intense disputes within the family. Heated arguments became
a daily occurrence, their once peaceful home turning into a battleground, with conflicts
so intense that even the neighbours took notice. Caught between her duty as a journalist
and the turmoil it has brought into her family, Cynthia begins to question whether she
made the right decision or if she should have chosen her family over her job.

3. Whilst all this Cynthia’s article brought her a promotion as it drastically increased the
newspaper’s readership. With her rising status, she attended numerous work-related
parties and starts drinking regularly. Meanwhile, tensions at home remained unchanged,
with ongoing conflicts straining her relationship with James.

4. James and Cynthia resided in a safe-gated community Apartments called ‘The Indigo
Apartment’, with Dolu Kumar as their neighbour living right across the hall and
Goperumdevi residing directly below them.

5. On the night of January 2nd, Cynthia attended an after-party, capturing moments in

multiple pictures and posting them on her social media accounts. However, upon
returning home, she gets into yet another heated argument with James. Frustrated and
overwhelmed, she stormed out of the apartment heading to the terrace.

6. The next morning, Dolu Kumar stepped into his bathroom, ready for a shower, only to
be met with a foul odour and hair strands flowing from the tap. Disgusted and alarmed,
he immediately calls the apartment maintenance staff to check the water tank. What
 they discovered left them frozen—Cynthia’s lifeless body was floating inside. They and
quickly alerted the police, filing an e-FIR as the complex fell into a state of shock.

DISCLAIMER:

The below Trial Proposition is only for the purpose of Trial Advocacy Competition in Law Fest
2.o, 2025 conducted by the Moot Court Association, School of Excellence in Law, The Tamil
Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University. The contents of the same are purely imaginary and neither
intend nor attempt to resemble any incident or any person, living or dead. All materials, names,
characters, locations, dates etc. in the trial proposition are fictitious and do not intend to or
attempt to hurt the feelings or sentiments of any community or degrade the values and
ideologies of any group of people, religion or individual. Any resemblance to the same is
unintended and merely a coincidence. Please note that this story is set in the year of 2025.
 ANNEXURE 1: REMAND FOR JUDICIAL CUSTODY

IN THE COURT OF THE 4th ADDITIONAL METROPOLITAN

MAGISTRATE,

KASUKABE DISTRICT

C. C. No. 420/2025

In the matter between,

The State of Konoha.................................................................................. Prosecution

v/s

James S. Paul & Anr......................................................................................Defence

COMPLAINANT: Dolu Kumar

ACCUSED NO. 1:

Name: James Paul

Age: 35

Address: No.68, Indigo Apartments, Victory Road, Kasukabe District, Konoha –

600 854

ACCUSED NO. 2:

Name: Larry Paul

Age: 35

Address: No.43, Odissia Enclave, Cenotoph Street, Kasukabe District, Konoha –

600 854
 ALLEGED OFFENCES ARE U/S. 101 & 103 R/W 61 OF THE BHARATIYA
NYAYA SANHITA, 2023.

DATE: 02/01/2025

TIME: 06:00 PM

ORDER

In furtherance of the case, who are Accused 1 and Accused 2 respectively were
presented before me at 06:00 PM. A remand application has been filed and the
documents of arrest intimation, arrest memo, a copy of the FIR have been submitted.

The Accused 1 and 2 did not plead ill-treatment by police and have submitted that they
were arrested today morning at 09:30 AM. Accused 1 was arrested from Indigo
Apartments and Accused 2 was arrested from Alleppey Garden Bar. They have
submitted that their family members were informed about the arrest by the police and
that their advocate has filed a bail application under Section 480 of BNSS.

The reasons mentioned for the remand application have been considered by this court.
As it appears that the investigation is pending, this court grants the remand for judicial
custody of Accused 1 and 2. Accused 1 and 2 shall be sent to judicial custody till
03/04/2025 under Section 187(2) of BNSS. The Jail Authorities are directed to produce
the two accused before the concerned court on the next date of hearing.

Seal: Deemed to be affixed Signature of the Judge: Sd/-

Date: 05/01/2025 Suraj Narayanan

 ANNEXURE 2: SUMMONS TO THE ACCUSED PERSONS

IN THE COURT OF THE 4TH ADDITIONAL METROPOLITAN

MAGISTRATE,

KASUKABEY DISTRICT

S.C. No. 420/2025

SUMMONS TO ACCUSED PERSONS

(Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023)

The State of Konoha.................................................................................. Prosecution

v/s

James S. Paul & Anr......................................................................................Defence

To,

(1) James S Paul

(2) Larry S Paul

Wherein your attendance is necessary to answer to a charge under Sections 101 and
103 r/w 61 of BNS, you are hereby required to appear in person by 4th, 5th & 6th of
April, 2025 before the Principal Session Judge, Kasukame at ten o'clock in the
forenoon. Herein fail not.

Given under my hand and the seal of the Court, this day of 20th March, 2024.

Seal: Deemed to be affixed Signature of the Judge: Sd/-

Date: 20/03/2024 Suraj Narayanan
 ANNEXURE 3: SUMMONS TO THE WITNESSES

IN THE COURT OF THE PRINCIPAL SESSIONS JUDGE

KASUKABEY DISTRICT

S.C. No. 420/2025

In the matter between:

C.C.No. 420/2025

The State of Konoha.................................................................................. Prosecution

v/s

James S. Paul & Anr......................................................................................Defence

To,

1. Mr. Dolu Kumar

2. Dr. Anthony Deshmukh

3. Duraisingham

ORDER

(Deemed to be proved and taken on record)

In pursuance of the information that has been laid before me that the two accused: (1)
Mr. James S Paul and (2) Mr. Larry S Paul in the present matter, herein referred to as
A1 and A2 respectively, have been arrested and taken into custody by the Dholakpur
City Police on the 2nd January, 2025 for conspiring and committing the offense of
Murder and are punishable under Sections 101 and 103 r/w 61 of BNS, and it appears
to me that you are likely to give material evidence or to produce any document or other
thing for the prosecution.

I, Neeraj Kumar, Principal Sessions Judge, Dholakpur City, do hereby order that the
re-examination of the concerned witnesses in the present matter be conducted on the
4th, 5th & 6th of April, 2025, at 10 A.M., before this Court and hereby summon the
concerned witnesses to appear for the same and produce such document or thing or
testify on the matter of the complaint before me. A warrant shall be issued to compel
your attendance if you neglect or refuse to appear without just excuse.

Seal: Deemed to be affixed Signature of the Judge: Sd/-

Date: 23/03/2025 Neeraj Kumar

 ANNEXURE 4: DENIAL OF GUILT ORDER

IN THE COURT OF THE PRINCIPAL SESSIONS JUDGE

KASUKABE DISTRICT

S.C. No. 420/2025

In the matter between:

C.C.No. 420/2025

The State of Konoha.................................................................................. Prosecution

v/s

James S. Paul & Anr......................................................................................Defence

ORDER

(Deemed to be proved and taken on record)

In pursuance to the Committal Order issued by the learned 2nd Additional

Metropolitan Magistrate dated 22nd March, 2025 and wherefore information has been
laid before me and on the consideration thereof, I have reasons to believe that the
accused: (1) James S Paul and (2) Larry S Paul who are Accused 1 (A1) and Accused
2 (A2) respectively are alleged for having conspired to and committed the offence of
Murder of one Mrs. Cynthia.

I, Neeraj Kumar, Principal Sessions Judge, Dholakpur do hereby charge the above-
mentioned accused for the offences committed, which are punishable under Sections
101 and 103 r/w 61 of BNS, and do hereby direct that you all be tried by this Court for
the above said offence from the date as specified.
The contents of the charges have been read over and explained to both the two accused
and the following questions were asked:

ACCUSED NO.1: James S Paul

Q. Mrs. James, have you heard and understood the contents of the charges framed
against you?

Ans. Yes

Q. Do you plead guilty for the same or claim Trial?

Ans. I plead not guilty and wish to contest in the Trial proceedings.

ACCUSED NO. 2: Mr. Larry S Paul

Q. Mr. Larry have you heard and understood the contents of the charges framed against
you?

Ans. Yes

Q. Do you plead guilty for the same or claim Trial?

Ans. I plead not guilty and wish to contest in the Trial proceedings.

The Summons is issued to all the concerned Witnesses and the Trial is scheduled to
commence on 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th of April, 2024 at 10:00 AM before this Court.

Seal: Deemed to be affixed Signature of the Judge: Sd/-

Date: 23/03/2025 Neeraj Kumar

 ANNEXURE 5: COMMITTAL ORDER

IN THE COURT OF THE PRINCIPAL SESSIONS JUDGE

KASUKABEY DISTRICT

S.C. No. 420/2025

In the matter between:

C.C. No. 420/2025

The State of Konoha.................................................................................. Prosecution

v/s

James S. Paul & Anr......................................................................................Defence

COMMITAL ORDER

(Deemed to be proved and taken on record)

Whereas information has been laid before me and on the consideration thereof, I have reasons
to believe that all the accused: (1) James S Paul and (2) Larry S Paul who are Accused 1 (A1)
and Accused 2 (A2) respectively, are alleged for having conspired to and committed the offence
of Murder of one Mrs. Cynthia on 2nd January, 2024 at 11:00 PM. Since the offences are under
Sections 101 and 103 r/w 61 of BNS, it is exclusively triable by the Court of Sessions at
Dholakpur. Notice of the Committal Order has been given to the Public Prosecutor. Copies of
the Final Report of the Investigating Officer have been given to the accused.

Seal: Deemed to be affixed Signature of the Judge: Sd/-

Date: 23/03/2025 Neeraj Kumar

 ANNEXURE 6: FIRST INFORMATION REPORT

1. DISTRICT: Kasukabey P.S.: Pehelwanpur PS

2. FIR No.: 271/2025 DATE: 02/02/2025
3. (i) ACT(S): Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS)
(ii) SECTION(S): U/s 101 and 103 read with 61 of BNS
4. OCCURRENCE OF OFFENCE: 11:00 PM – 02/01/2025
5. INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM: Mr. Dolu Kumar
6. TYPE OF INFORMATION: Phone-call (Transcript attached below)
7. FILING OF REPORT: 07:10 AM, 02/02/2025
8. PLACE OF OCCURRENCE: A Square Apartments, Pehelwanpur, Kasukabey.
a) Direction and distance from P.S.: South West; 4.2 km
b) Address: Indigo Apartments, Pehelwanpur, Kasukabey. – 600 854
c) In case, outside the limit of this Police Station, then:
Name of P.S.: N/A
District: N/A
9. DETAILS OF KNOWN/SUSPECTED/UNKNOWN ACCUSED WITH FULL
PARTICULARS:
Known accused
a. Mr. James S Paul
b. Mr. Larry S Paul
10. REASONS FOR DELAY IN REPORTING BY
COMPLAINANT/INFORMANT: No
11. INQUEST REPORT/ U.D. CASE NO. IF ANY: Attached below
12. FIRST INFORMATION CONTENTS:
My name is Dolu Kumar and I am a living next door to Cynthia. On 02.02.25 I
noticed that the water from the storage tank appeared brown in colour and emitted a
strong unpleasant odour. concerned about the contamination I went to check the water
tank where I discovered the dead body of Cynthia inside the water tank. Additionally,
last night I also heard sounds of a heated argument and possible physical altercation
between Cynthia and her husband James coming from their residence.
 13. ACTION TAKEN:
An FIR has been registered against Mr. James and Mr. Larry as suspected accused
persons, investigation is handed over to the investigating officer, Duraisingam, Sr PI,
Pehalwanpur, Kasukabey.

F.I.R. read over to the informant, admitted to be correctly recorded and a copy given to

the informant, free of cost.

Signature /Thumb impression of the complainant/ informant: Sd/-

Name: Mr. Dolu Kumar

Signature of officer in charge: Sd/-

Name: Mr. Ekambaram

Rank: Head Constable

Date and Time of dispatch to the Court: 2 PM, 02/02/2025

 TAMILNADU POLICE CONTROL ROOM
Caller (Dolu Kumar): Hello, is this the police control room?
Police Operator: Yes, this is the Tamil Nadu police helpline. How
can we help you?
Caller (Dolu Kumar): Sir, I am calling from [Apartment
Name/Address]. There is a serious issue in our apartment.
Police Operator: What happened? Please explain clearly.
Caller (Dolu Kumar): Sir, I noticed that the water coming from my
pipe was not normal in colour. It looked strange. And then, I saw
hair strands coming through the pipe.
Police Operator: Hair strands? Are you sure? Where exactly did you
see them?
Caller (Dolu Kumar): Yes, sir. In the water from my bathroom pipe.
It was very unusual, so we got suspicious.
Police Operator: Then what happened?
Caller (Dolu Kumar): We checked the water tank on the terrace,
and... sir, we found a body floating inside!
Police Operator: A body?! Are you sure?
Caller (Dolu Kumar): Yes, sir! It is a woman’s body! She is floating
inside the tank. We don’t know what to do. Please send the police
immediately.
Police Operator: Alright, stay calm. We are dispatching officers to
your location immediately. Please do not touch anything at the
scene. Wait for the police to arrive.
Caller (Dolu Kumar): Yes, sir. Please come fast!
Police Operator: Can you provide your full name and contact number?
Caller (Dolu Kumar): My name is Dolu Kumar, and my phone number is
XXXXXXXX56.
Police Operator: Thank you. Please also confirm your exact address
so our officers can reach you quickly.
Caller (Dolu Kumar): The apartment is Indigo Apartments, located at
Victory Road in Kasukabe.
Police Operator: Got it. Our team is on the way. Please ensure that
no one disturbs the scene until we arrive.
Caller (Dolu Kumar): Yes, sir. Please come fast!
 ANNEXURE 7: INQUEST REPORT

1. District: Kasukabe
2. Police Station: Pehelwanpur
3. Date and Time of receiving information about death: 02/01/2025 at 6:55 AM

4. Details of Witness I:

a. Name: Mahesh
b. Age: 24
c. Residing at: No. 64, Indigo Apartments, Pehelwanpur.

5. Details of Witness II:

a. Name: Saveetha Sargam

b. Age: 20
c. Residing at: No. 30/7 Habulla road, Karampuri.

6. Details of Deceased:

a. Name: Cynthia
b. Age: 33
c. Address: No 66, Indigo Apartments, Pehelwanpur.

7. By whom first found dead: Dolu Kumar, neighbour of the deceased.

8. Time and place where the body was found: 6:20AM

9. Last person to see the deceased alive: James S Paul

10. Time and Place where person was last seen alive: 11:50PM at her house.
11. Dead body identified by: Dolu Kumar
12. Marks of identification, if any: None

13. Height and weight of the deceased: 167cm 58kg

14. Relatives present at inquest: James, Husband of Accused & Evie, daughter of accused
15. Spot where corpse was found: Water Tank on the terrace of Indigo Apartments
16. Status of body when found: The deceased was found floating in a prone state
17. Injuries and marks on body: None
18. Nature of wounds: None
19. Conditions of clothes/ornaments: The deceased was wearing a blue night suit.
20. Marks of violence of struggle: none
21. Apparent cause of death: drowning
22. Present status of the body: at the government hospital mortuary.

Witness 1 –Mahesh Sd/- Name of the I.O: Duraisingam

Witness 2 –Saveetha Sargam Sd/- Rank: Sr. P.I.

 ANNEXURE 8: PROPERTY SEIZURE MEMO

1. DISTRICT: Kasukabe
2. FIR No: 271/2025 DATE: 20/02/2025
3. Act(s) and section(s):
a. Act(s): The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
b. Section(s): Section 101 & 103 r/w 61 of BNS, 2023
4. PROPERTY SEIZED/RECOVERED/DISCOVERED AT: Indigo Apartments,
Victory Road, Kasukabe
a. Date: 02/01/2025
b. Time: 8:30 AM
c. Address of the place from where seized/recovered/discovered: Indigo
Apartments,
5. WITNESS:
a. Name: Kamaleshnath
Age: 30
Residing at: No. 63, Indigo Apartments
b. Name: Cyntha Paul
Age: 27
Residing at: No. 66, Indigo Apartments

6. ACTION TAKEN/RECOMMENDED FOR DISPOSAL FOR PERISHABLE

PROPERTY: NIL
7. ACTION TAKEN/RECOMMENDED FOR DISPOSAL FOR KEEPING OF
VALUABLE PROPERTY: Packed, sealed and sent to safe custody for further
examination.
8. IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED: Yes
9. DETAILS OF PROPERTIES SEIZED/RECOVERED:

Sl.No. Property Description I.O Marking

1. Iron Rod 1A/271/2025

2. Brown Bottle 1B/271/2025

3. Cloth bit 1C/271/2025

4. Parker pen Refill 1D/271/2025

5. Mobile Phone of Deceased 1E/271/2025

1A/271/2025

1B/123/2025

1C/271/2025
 1D/271/2025

1E/271/2025

Witness 1: Kamaleshnath Name of the I.O.: Duraisingam

Witness 2: Rahul David Rank: Sr. P.I.

Signature of the I.O

 ANNEXURE 9: FINAL REPORT

(Under Section 193 of BNSS)

1. DETAILS
a. District: Kasukabe
b. P.S: Pehelwanpur
c. Year: 2025
d. FIR No: 271/2025
2. Charge Sheet No./ Final Report No.: 657/2025
3. DATE OF FILING REPORT: 20/03/2024
4. ACT(S): Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
5. SECTION(S): 101 & 103 r/w 61 of BNS
6. IF SUPPLEMENTARY OR ORIGINAL: Original
7. NAME OF THE I.O: Duraisingam
Rank: Sr. P.I.
No: 367/Pehelwanpur

8. NAME OF THE COMPLAINANT/INFORMANT: Dolu Kumar

9. PARTICULARS OF ACCUSED PERSONS CHARGE-SHEETED:

ACCUSED NO. 1

a. Name: James S Paul Whether verified: Yes

b. Father’s Name: Sathish Powar
c. Age: 35 D.O.B.: 03/03/1991
d. Sex: Male
e. Blood Group: O +ve
f. Nationality: Sindian
g. Religion: Christian
h. Address: No. 66, Indigo Apartments, Kasukabe, Dolakpur – 600 854
i. Provisional Crime No: 271/2025
j. Regular Crime No: N/A
k. Date of Apprehension: 09:30 AM; 02/02/2024
l. Date on which forwarded to the Court: 02/02/2024
 m. Under Acts and Section: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 101 and 103 read with
61
n. Status of the accused: Judicial Custody.
ACCUSED NO. 2

a. Name: Mr. Larry S Paul Whether verified: Yes

b. Father’s Name: Sathish Powar
c. Age: 35 D.O.B.: 03/03/1991
d. Sex: Male
e. Blood Group: AB-ve
f. Nationality: Sindian
g. Religion: N/A
h. Address: No.5, Aishwaryam Residency, Market Street, Kasukabe – 600 996
i. Provisional Crime No: 271/2025
j. Regular Crime No: N/A
k. Date of Apprehension: 10:00 AM; 02/02/2024
l. Date on which forwarded to the Court: 02/02/2024
m. Under Acts and Section: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 101 and 103 read with
61
n. Status of the accused: Judicial Custody.

10. Brief Course of Investigation:

a. On the 2nd of February at 6:40 am, we got a call from one Mr. Dolu Kumar reporting that
he had discovered the body of his neighbour floating in their apartment’s water tank. The
call transcript was recorded and used to file an FIR after which I reached the spot in 10
minutes.
b. When I reached the spot, I found the water tank lid slid open. The body of the deceased
was floating in the tank wearing a red dress. The body was retrieved and sent to the
nearby government hospital for autopsy. A spot of offence panchnama was conducted
around 7:15 AM. The entire place was sealed and necessary pictures were taken. The
items seized were Iron Rod, a Brown Bottle, a piece of torn Cloth bit and Parker pen
Refill. All items except the bottle were seized from the terrace, while the brown bottle
was seized from their deceased’s house at 66, Indigo apartments.
 c. Then, witness statements were collected from suitable witnesses. It was followed by
the examination of the CCTV footage of the training facility, from which we affirmed
the presence of both the accused persons at the scene of crime along with the victim.
d. After a thorough investigation and referring to the witness statements, Post-Mortem
Report, Toxicology Report and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) Reports, it could be
concluded that both the accused in the judicial custody has played a part in the murder
of the deceased.
11. List of Prosecution Witnesses:
a. Mr. Dolu Kumar
b. Dr. Ravivarman
c. Mr. Duraisingam
d. Dr. Anthony Deshmukh

Forwarded by the Station House Officer/ Officer in Charge: Ekambaram

Rank: Head Constable

Signature of the Officer-in-Charge: Sd/-

Name of the I.O: Duraisingam

Rank: Sr. P.I.

Signature of the I.O. submitting the Final Report/Chargesheet: Sd/-

 ANNEXURE 10: SCENE OF OFFENCES – PANCHNAMA

DATE: 02/01/2024
PANCHA NO: 1
NAME: Mahesh
AGE: 30 Years
RESIDING AT: No. 64, Indigo Apartments, Victory Road, Kasukabe – 600 973
PANCHA NO: 2
NAME: Jithin
AGE: 34 Years
RESIDING AT: No 22/75 Kutchery Road Mayavaram 600 901
We the above mentioned panchas were called by Duraisingam the investigation officer, to act
as panchas in the present case on 02nd January, 2024 at about 6:50 AM

The investigation team, donned in gloves and masks, entered the premises with caution.
They collect the following items as evidence - an iron rod, located near the water tank, labelled
as 1A|271|2025, a brown bottle, positioned on the table inside their house no.66, labelled as
1B|271|2025, a piece of cloth bit labelled as 1C|271|2025 discovered near the water tank in the
terrace, a brown bottle used to store medicines of some sort besides a glass of water, labelled
as 1D|271|2025. No other items or properties were seized by the police in our presence.

The panchnama was concluded in an orderly manner, with the contents beings read out to us
and accurately recorded.

Pancha No 1: Mahesh Sd/- Name of I.O: Duraisingam Sd/-

Pancha No 2: Jithin Sd/- Rank: I.O – Sr. P.I.
 ANNEXURE 11: POSTMORTEM REPORT

NAME OF THE INSTITUTION: Pehelwanpur Medical Hospital.

NAME OF DOCTOR CONDUCTING AUTOPSY: Dr. Anthony Deshmukh

POSTMORTEM REPORT NO.: 271/2025

DATE AND TIME OF RECEIPT OF BODY: 2nd January 2025, 4 PM

DATE AND HOUR OF STARTING AUTOPSY: 2nd January 2025, 6 PM

DATE AND HOUR OF CONCLUDING AUTOPSY: 2nd January 2025, 7:30 PM

TIME OF DEATH: Around 12 am to 2 am, 2nd January 2024

CASE PARTICULARS:
Name of the deceased: Cynthia

Age: 33 Sex: Female Blood Group: O -ve

Body identified by: Daughter and Flat mates of the deceased.

GENERAL FINDINGS:

The body was that of a moderately built and nourished adult female, measuring 161 cm in
height and weighing 55 kg, with a medium complexion. The face appeared puffy and livid,
the eyes were closed, pupils dilated. No abnormalities were observed in the external genitalia,
anus, or other external body orifices. The cornea was cloudy. The odour of alcohol was
detectable on examination, especially near the mouth. Rigor Mortis and Cutis Anserina were
observed in the body.

EXTERNAL EXAMINATION:

1. Contusion 6x3x0.5 cm on the left side of forehead, just above the left eyebrow and 2
cm outer to midline. Underneath, the scalp showed hematoma 5x3x1cm.
2. Contusion 3x3x0.5 cm on the left side of the chin, slightly above the jaw.
3. 4 Abrasions and fingernail marks seen in the back of the neck.
4. A fine white froth present in the mouth and nostrils.
5. Wrinkling and whitening of hands and skin on the palms and feet.
 INTERNAL EXAMINATION:

1. The brain (1305 gm) showed one contusion on the side of left parietal lobe. Diffuse
subarachnoid haemorrhage, narrowing of sulci and flattening of gyri.
2. Fractures of the 3rd and 4th ribs on the left side at outer aspect.

OTHER FINDINGS:

The lungs were soft, reddish, and congested, with the right lung weighing 210 gm and the left
weighing 195 gm. No fluid was found in the lung or windpipe. The heart, weighing 185 gm,
was flabby, with normal walls, valves, and chambers, and the coronary arteries were patent.
Liver (1600g) showed fatty changes with round borders. Larynx was congested. The stomach
contained white fluid with milk like appearance. The appendage and uterus were found to
appear normal. All other body parts were found to be pale, pinkish and normal. No other
findings were recorded.

OPINION AS TO CAUSE OF DEATH:

Cause of death was likely due to blunt force trauma to the head or drowning.

Viscera sample was collected and sent for toxicology analysis.

S/d-

Anthony Deshmukh

Govt Medical College, Kasukabe.

 ANNEXURE 12: FORENSIC LAB REPORT

FSL Identification Number 03-25-421

Investigation Officer: Duraisingam, Inspector of Police

Analyst: Scientific Officer Ravivarman Sreekumar

Incident no.: 271-23J-2025

Date: 23rd January, 2025

CERTIFICATE OF EXAMINATION

The Articles cited below as A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 which were seized from the scene of
occurrence and sent to the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Malgudi for forensic
examination, were received on 20th January, 2025. The articles were received and sealed in a
manner that corresponds to the materials as were informed to be received, all of which are
summarized in the forensic report.

Materials examined Markings

Iron Rod A1
Brown Bottle A2
Cloth bit A3
Parker pen Refill A4
Fingerprint sample of Victim (Cynthia Paul) A5
Fingerprint sample of Accused 1 (James A6
Paul)
Fingerprint sample of Accused 2 (Larry A7
Paul)
OBSERVATIONS:

1. Fingerprint examination on A1 yielded a match with A5, A7 and other unidentified

fingerprints.
2. Fingerprint examination on A2 yielded a match with A6.
3. Fingerprint examination on A3 yielded a match with A5. Partial fingerprints found but
no conclusive match could be made out from those.
4. Fingerprint examination on A4 yielded a match with A7.
 ANNEXURE 13: TOXICOLOGY REPORT

REPORT ISSUED: 3rd March 2025

PATIENT NAME: Mrs. Cynthia Paul
PATIENT ID: 2024-200591
AGE: 33 years
DOB: 12/01/1992
GENDER: Female

Case Summary:

Mrs. Cynthia, 33 years old female was a journalist, whose viscera was sent for testing to check
for presence chemical analysis. The present report was brought about to confirm the same.
POSITIVE FINDINGS:
Compound Result Units

Secobarbital 30 Mg

SPECIMENS RECEIVED:
ID Tube/ Container Collection Date/ Time Matrix Source
001 Grey top test tube 05/01/2025 Blood
002 Yellow top test tube 05/01/2025 Urine

REFERENCE COMMENTS:
Secobarbital is a common anti-depressant and acts as a sleeping pill. It was found in mild dose
in the body.
BAC was 0.15%.
Toxicology Analysis:

Presence of alcohol clearly visible in the sample. Secobarbital is an anti-depressant found in

small dose

Sd/-
Dr. Arjun Reddy

Laboratory Director
 WITNESS STATEMENTS – PROSECUTION

PW1 – Dolu Kumar

I am Dolu Kumar, son of Pandya Prasad Kumar who is an ex - serviceman in army force. I am
40 years old and working for Infosys as a managing director. I have been residing in Indigo
apartments for the past four years and certainly connected with Mrs. Cynthia's family who is
residing opposite to our flat and in fact a puzzling family to travel with. I am not sure about her
husband Mr. James, a well-known actor, but not one that I have interacted with a lot. Overall,
they are a tightly knit family that has not had much problems. Both our families reside on the
topmost floor of the apartment. We are the only two residents in our floor.

On December 16, 2024 I got invited just like the other apartment members to their daughter,
Evie’s birthday. I had previously heard rumours that the child was suffering some mental
disorder. At that event everyone was present and it was one of the most memorable days for
the whole apartment. But that was when the once peaceful family started having problems. I
often used to hear the parents fighting loudly late at night when I used to return back home.
Their poor child also used to be crying. In multiple instances Cynthia used to fight and go to
the terrace. I never really got to the bottom of why they were fighting however I did hear
apartment rumours about some news article written by Cynthia against her Brother-in-Law,
Larry. Larry is an occasional visitor to the apartment, however recently he has been visiting
quite often when Cynthia goes to work.

On the 1st of January, after finishing my work I was coming back home late around 10:30 PM.
I noticed a bike parked at my usual parking slot. Frustrated, I parked my car outside and went
home to sleep. It was then I heard them fighting again and as usual Cynthia went to the terrace.
Their daughter was crying loudly and screaming at her father. It was very sad to see the once
happy family currently in this predicament.

The next day, I woke up early as usual to leave for office and when I opened the shower hose,
to my shock there were hair strands and the water also looked discoloured with a bad odour. I
called the apartment maintenance and immediately went with the maintenance boy to check
the tank and that is where to my shock, I found Cynthia floating in the tank. I immediately
called the police and informed them and they came to the scene in 15 minutes.
PW2 – Dr. Anthony Deshmukh

I am Dr. Antony, Senior Pathologist at Artemis Hospital. I conducted the Post Mortem on the
deceased. The time of receipt of body was around 6 pm on the 2nd of January. Upon examining
the victim, Mrs. Cynthia, I found a head injury caused by a blunt steel object, consistent with
a rod. The body was found in the water tank, suggesting possible drowning post-head trauma.
Time of death is estimated to be between 12:00 AM and 2:00 AM.

PW3 – Dr. Ravivarman Sreekumar

I am Dr. Ravivarman, a forensic expert working at the Forensic Science Laboratory. I analysed
the samples sent to me which were all sent in a neat and packed manner. I received the first
batch of samples which were an iron rod, a piece of cloth, a brown bottle and a refill of a parker
pen. I also received the fingerprint samples of the deceased person and the two accused persons.
Matching with the same, I was able to find traces of Accused 1’s fingerprints in the bottle and
Accused 2’s fingerprints on the iron rod. Further investigation is required to confirm the exact
sequence of events.

PW4 – Evie

I am Evie, 13 years old. I am the daughter of Mrs. Cynthia and Mr. James. My mother was a
Journalist, and my father is an Actor.

In recent times, I have seen my parents fighting a lot. It all started 2 weeks ago during my 13th
birthday (16.12.2024). I remember because it was supposed to be a happy day with lots of fun.
We had a huge party with everyone in the apartment coming to my house. But in the next
morning, I don’t know why, my parents started arguing a lot. I saw my mother crying all day
and all the plans for the birthday did not go as planned. Larry uncle had also not come to the
birthday and my father was even more upset about it because we all used to celebrate birthdays
together as a family. After that day, my parents kept fighting almost every day.

One day, during a fight, I heard my father saying, “If you don’t stop working, I will definitely
kill you!” He seemed very angry and tried to hit my mom a couple of times that day. I was
terrified as I have never seen my father get angry a lot and he looked like a monster who would
kill us anytime. My mom seemed very upset about it and I saw her constantly zoning out while
cooking and one day, in the middle of night when I went to drink water, she was crying in her
sleep. They had been sleeping in separate rooms since my birthday.
My mother is a stargazer, so whenever she feels very sad, she used to go up and look at the
stars. She loved to look at the stars and had taught me about the constellations and taught a lot
about stars. One day after she fought with my father she still smiled and told me to come up
with her. That is when she told me that my father and Larry uncle were not very happy with
her and were threatening her because of something she did. She told me that if I was ever sad,
I should also go see the stars.

On the night my mother died, I saw something that I cannot stop thinking about. I saw my
father taking out a brown bottle from the drawer and put some tablets from it into my mother’s
milk. She drank it after she refreshed after coming home from work. Then, as usual, they started
arguing again. This time I noticed my father not too involved in the fight. Something seemed
off in him. Then I saw my mother go up to the terrace alone that night.

After my mother left to terrace, my father came to me and hugged me. He told me not to worry
and put me to sleep. I don’t know what happened after that, but the next thing I knew, my
mother was found in the water tank. The police say she was hit with a steel rod. I don’t know
who did it, but I am sure I saw my father adding some tablets in the milk which mom had that
night. But I don’t know why.

This is everything I know. I just want to know the truth about what happened to my mother. I
feel so miserable without her.
 WITNESS STATEMENTS – DEFENCE (Aide Memoire)

DW1 – GOPERUNDEVI

I am Goperundevi and I am 35 years old, working as a teacher in Maple ridge academy as well
as a counselor helping people to turn down their fears and tune their strenuous path. I’m
residing on the third floor right below Cynthia’s flat. To talk about Cynthia, she is a very good
friend of mine. We have everything in common. I like her for being so dedicated to her work
and passionate. But as the days passed something about her was different - off, almost
unrecognizable. I tried to contact her but something stopped her like an invisible weight
pressing down, keeping her from moving forward.

One day we both met surprisingly and were stunned to see her pale face. She was looking very
weak and depressed and that she had some work-related stress. And that's when she told me
about Larry, her brother-in-law who was involved in desperate work and that she tried to reveal
his faults. She was wrong about him and she could not help it.

Ever since the day she published the article, although she got a promotion in her workplace,
her brother in law’s depression due to getting his life’s work closed affected her in a weird way.
The same person who used to come every weekend to play with their daughter no longer came
to the house. She often spoke about how she was “misled” and how she wishes she had a second
chance.

On one occasion when we were talking, she brought up the concept of suicide and how she
feels very disconnected with the world. As a psychologist I also felt that her actions with
stargazing etc. were an act of desperation or a last-ditch method. I had recommended her
husband James to help her with the work stress she was going through and also advised him to
meet a therapist regarding the same.

I have stayed as neighbours of the family for over 6 years and I can say with certainty that the
guilt of ruining her own brother-in-law’s business, when he thought of her as his own sister
affected her so much that she decided to take her own life.

DW2 – REGINA S PAUL

I am Regina S Paul, and both the accused persons are my siblings. I am the eldest in the family
and since we grew up without a mother, I used to take care of both my twin baby brothers and
they used to share everything with me. Larry had taken a huge loan and started his new metal
refining plant. He expressed to both me and James how much of a difficult market it is to enter
into because of the already existing big players. James and I offered our full support to him and
told him we would have his back, so when Cynthia published the fake article, Larry couldn’t
take it and broke down crying to me. The actual truth of the matter was Larry had acquired
prior permissions for setting up the factory and Cynthia had actually been referred to publish
the article by a rival competitor. They had given fake news to Cynthia about how Larry’s
establishment was leading to the deaths of innocent children however, Cynthia without
verifying the facts of it, simply published the news leading to Larry’s employees going on an
indefinite strike and him being forced to close down the factory. On the date of the incident,
Larry came to my house in his car around 8:30 pm for dinner and stayed for quite a while.
James would never hurt his wife that he married so lovingly, and he himself has fake news
about his alleged affairs going around. On a whole, my brothers are not the kind to take revenge
by murder and they grew up from a home of suffering and would never let their daughter /
niece go through the same childhood they did without a mother.