Tarsem Kumar vs. Delhi Administration [(1994) Supp 3 SCC 367]
Where the case of the prosecution has been proved beyond all reasonable doubts on basis of the materials produced before the court, the motive loses its importance
8. Normally, there is a motive behind every criminal
act and that is why investigating agency as well as the court while examining
the complicity of an accused try to ascertain as to what was the motive on the
part of the accused to commit the crime in question. It has been repeatedly
pointed out by this Court that where the case of the prosecution has been
proved beyond all reasonable doubts on basis of the materials produced before
the court, the motive loses its importance. But in a case which is based on
circumstantial evidence, motive for committing the crime on the part of the
accused assumes greater importance. Of course, if each of the circumstances
proved on behalf of the prosecution is accepted by the court for purpose of
recording a finding that it was the accused who committed the crime in
question, even in absence of proof of a motive for commission of such a crime,
the accused can be convicted. But the investigating agency as well as the court
should ascertain as far as possible as to what was the immediate impelling
motive on the part of the accused which led him to commit the crime in
question. …….”