RANCHI, April 8 -- In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court set aside the conviction of Jay Prakash Yadav, a former constable of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), who had been sentenced to life imprisonment for the alleged murder of his superior in 2014.

The court on Monday ordered his immediate release after he spent nearly 12 years behind bars, highlighting critical lapses in the prosecution's case.

The incident dates back to May 18, 2014, at the IRBP Piparwar Camp in Jharkhand. The prosecution alleged that Yadav gunned down SI Sunil Soren after his request for leave was denied. The trial court in Chatra convicted Yadav in 2016 under Section 302 of the IPC and the Arms Act, a decision later upheld by Jharkhand HC in 2024.

A ben...