Officer (PW-16), did not make any effort to record the evidence of the most material prosecution witnesses, namely, Dipendrakumar Dhirendranath Shukla (PW9) and Pradipkumar Ganesh Rawat (PW-14), who later on vouched to the last seen circumstance as projected by the prosecution. This omission is fatal to the prosecution case, as it impinges on the credibility of the witnesses’ version and also gives a clear indication about flawed and tainted investigation. 55. It is only when Mandar Vasant Dharmadhikari (PW-18, 2nd Investigating Officer), took over investigation of the case on 3rd October, 2013, that the statements of the witnesses of the last seen circumstance were recorded for the first time. The witness made the categorical admissions in his crossexamination which are reproduced as under: “(9) In the spot panchanama at Exh.30 names of witnesses Dipendra Shukla and Pradeep Rawat are mentioned. I have not enquired with Shri Lokare 46 Criminal Appeal No(s). 1954-1955 of 2022