'Reincarnated' murder victim gives evidence

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1293021,curpg-2.cms

 LUCKNOW: Could a dead man, or rather his reincarnation, give evidence
in his own murder case?

A six-year-old case of murder in Hathras town in western Uttar Pradesh
has given rise to this million-dollar question following the
deposition of a five-year-old boy, Durgesh.

Creating a sensation in the trial court Friday, he alleged that during
his previous birth he was killed by his own friend Ved Prakash six
years ago.

 The statement has left everyone dumbfounded. Even the judiciary was
at its wit's end, debating if a claim of reincarnation could be given
legal sanctity.

Claiming that he was Mahipal in his previous birth, Durgesh told the
court that he was strangulated by Ved Prakash. He also attributed Ved
Prakash's illicit relations with his wife as the root cause of his murder.

Opinion on the issue was however divided.

 Public Prosecutor Sahib Singh Chauhan described it is "clinching
evidence" against Ved Prakash.

However, strongly refuting the claim, defence counsel Rajiv Tiwari was
of the view that "rebirth has no legal sanctity under any law". He
accused the prosecution of "tutoring" the boy.

While deferring the judgement, the court has asked the prosecution to
produce the legal provisions relating to reincarnation if any.