Thane Court Acquits Three in Decade-Long Kidnapping and Dacoity Case

A Thane court acquitted three individuals in a 2010 kidnapping and dacoity case. The prosecution could not firmly establish charges, leading to their release. The judge cited lack of witness identification and delayed evidence as key reasons for the acquittal.

In a significant ruling, a court in Maharashtra's Thane district has acquitted three individuals accused in a 2010 case of kidnapping and dacoity, providing them with the benefit of doubt.

In an order passed on June 18, Additional Sessions Judge AN Sirsikar declared that the prosecution failed to substantiate any of the charges against the three accused, all aged between 43 to 47 years.

A copy of the verdict was released on Monday, revealing the prosecution's account of the incident. On December 3, 2010, a motorcyclist's vehicle brushed against a car near a local hospital in Thane. The car's five occupants then allegedly kidnapped the motorcyclist, taking him to Vitawa and confiscating his gold chain worth Rs 18,000 and Rs 8,000 in cash, according to the prosecution. Defence counsels DL Thamke and Swati Chitnis challenged these charges, exposing significant weaknesses in the case.

The court concluded that multiple factors contributed to the acquittal. The informant, unfamiliar with the accused, did not participate in an identification parade after the arrest. Furthermore, the 13-year delay in recording evidence resulted in inconsistencies and uncorroborated witness statements. The recovery of stolen items was considered inconclusive due to missing identification marks and delayed recovery.

Ultimately, the court acquitted the accused, stressing that the informant's testimony was insufficient for establishing their identities beyond doubt.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)