Short Note : In order to base the conviction of an accused on circumstantial evidence, the Court must be certain that the circumstantial evidence is of such a character as is consistent only with the guilt of the accused. If however, the circumstantial evidence admits of any other rational explanation in such an event, an element of doubt would creap in and the accused must necessarily have the benefit thereof. The circumstances relied upon should be of a conclusive character and should exclude every hypothesis other than that of the guilt of the accused. Khashaba Maruti Shelke v. State of Maharashtra, 1973 SC 2474, Deonandan Mishra v. State of Bihar, AIR 1955 SC 401 relied on. Appeal dismissed.