Motive is the reason which induces and actuates a man to do a certain act. It is a sense of injury or a long-cherished feeling of resentment which induces a person to commit an offence.
Motive is thus no doubt an important factor and is therefore relevant under Section 8 of the Evidence Act. Existence of adequate motive for the perpetration of crime is an important factor which strengthens the general body of evidence. But failure to prove motive cannot outweigh the positive evidence as to the crime.
Thus motive, though an important factor, adequacy or absence of motive may not affect the merits of the case if there is positive evidence as to the crime which brings home the guilt of the accused.