A court in Thane district of Maharashtra has acquitted two men charged with the murder of a shepherd nearly three years ago, citing insufficient evidence and the failure of a key eyewitness to support the prosecution’s case.
On March 16, Principal District and Sessions Judge S. B. Agrawal cleared Anna, alias Abraham Mundarangi (50), and Anil Basavraj Maratha (32) of all charges.
The duo had been accused of assaulting Nagesh Raju Kamble with a belt and bamboo on the night of April 12, 2023, resulting in his death.
According to the prosecution, Kamble, who worked for Mundarangi, was allegedly beaten after returning late with the sheep owned by the accused. However, the case faltered when the sole eyewitness, Ganesh Amuksiddha Bhosale, turned hostile.
Advocate Sudhakar Parad represented the accused. The court highlighted gaps in both forensic and circumstantial evidence. “The chemical analysis report does not denote anything,” the judge observed.
Regarding the recovery of the alleged murder weapons, a belt and a bamboo, the court found the link unproven. “The recovery is inconsequential because there is absolutely nothing to show that it was this belt and bamboo with which the deceased was assaulted,” the judgment stated. The chemical analysis report also failed to establish the presence of blood stains on these items.
While a medical report confirmed that Kamble’s death was homicidal due to head injuries, the court noted inconsistencies in the testimonies of the victim’s siblings. “It cannot be said that the prosecution has been successful in bringing home the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt,” the judge concluded, acquitting both men of all charges.
Thane court acquits two men in 2002 train robbery case
In a similar incident last month, a court in Maharashtra`s Thane district acquitted two men in a 2002 train robbery case. The court, while passing the orders, noted that the prosecution had failed to examine even a single material witness over the past two decades.
In a judgment delivered on February 9, Additional Sessions Judge P R Ashturkar held that there was “absolutely nothing on record” to indicate the involvement of the accused, Shaikh Babu, alias Chhota Babu Shaikh Pyare, and Shaikh Ayub Shaikh Yusuf.
As per the prosecution, the accused persons allegedly robbed a female passenger on board the Chalukya Express on July 24, 2002, near Kalyan.
Following the accusations, the court recorded that despite repeated attempts, no prosecution witness could be traced.
The court stated, “There is absolutely nothing on record which would even remotely indicate the involvement and active participation of the accused in the said matter.”
Only one witness, a police constable tasked with serving a summons, was examined, who deposed that the witnesses were untraceable. The district court acquitted both accused, saying keeping the matter lingering would be a futile exercise without any outcome.
(With PTI inputs)
