Motive can be considered for conviction of criminals

The Supreme Court has held that motive can be considered as a relevant circumstance for convicting the accused in a criminal case if the evidence is clear and unambiguous. The court made this clear while reversing the acquittal of six persons convicted by a trial court in Uttar Pradesh in a case of triple murder 30 years ago.
Justice Sathasivam said, “Motive is a thing which is primarily known to the accused themselves and it is not possible for the prosecution to explain what actually promoted or excited them to commit the particular crime. The motive may be considered as circumstance which is relevant assessing the evidence. But if the evidence is clear and unambiguous and the circumstances prove the guilt of the accused, the same is not weakened even if the motive is not a very strong one.”