India, Feb. 26 -- More than 27 years after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated probe into a high-profile bank fraud case worth over Rs.6 crore involving Vijaya Bank, the Supreme Court has observed that the entire investigation was based on suspicion rather than proof, acquitting the lone remaining accused in the crime - a jeweller - and directing the return of 205 gold blocks seized from him as 'stolen property'.

A bench headed by justice Bhushan R Gavai reminded the CBI that suspicion, however strong, cannot replace proof as the agency failed to establish the case under Section 411 of the Indian Penal Code - the property in possession of the accused should be proven to be the one stolen and the person should have had kno...