The Delhi High Court has acquitted four men who were sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court for their alleged involvement in the abduction and gangrape of a woman in 2018. The court cited inadequate investigation as the reason behind its decision.
In a verdict delivered on Monday, the high court allowed the appeal filed by the four men challenging the trial court’s judgment. It noted that neither the woman nor her parents provided any incriminating evidence, and there was insufficient material on record to support the prosecution’s case.
The bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain highlighted the shortcomings in the investigation, noting the absence of crucial documents such as the PCR form and call detail records (CDR) of the woman’s mobile phone. The court emphasized that the DNA report, which allegedly linked the accused to the crime, was not presented to the defendants during the trial.
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Furthermore, the high court observed discrepancies in the woman’s statements to the police and before the magistrate. While initially accusing the men of abduction and sexual assault, she later retracted her statement and claimed to have left her home voluntarily.
The prosecution’s case was also weakened by the testimony of the woman’s parents, which the court deemed unhelpful. The failure to collect and present the CDR details of the woman’s mobile phone was criticized by the court, which considered it a missed opportunity to strengthen the prosecution’s case.
In conclusion, the high court concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove the charges against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt. The acquittal of the four men highlights the importance of thorough investigation and adherence to legal procedures in criminal cases.
