Six murder accused acquitted in Gujarat

GANDHINAGAR - The Gujarat High Court has acquitted six people convicted in a murder that took place 13 years ago.

Justice Akil Kureshi acquitted all the accused with an opinion that evidence on record couldn’t be stated to be laying proof beyond reasonable doubt and none of the accused could be convicted with the help of such an evidence.

They were accused of causing disappearance of evidence and conspiracy in the murder of Girishbhai Purushottambhai Jan 28, 1997 in Kheda district over an alleged illicit relationship issue.

In a verdict made available Saturday, Justice Kureshi said that one of the prime witnesses who claimed to have seen Girish being beaten up was, however, not a witness to him being knifed.

“This witness is not reliable. He could not obviously state who had given the fatal blow,” he observed.

Earlier, two judges of the high court differed on the matter. The case was later referred to Justice Kureshi.

A sessions court in Nadiad of Kheda district, in November 2002, ordered the conviction of the six accused and sentenced them to rigorous imprisonment for one year and fine of Rs.500. The six challenged the judgment in the high court.

The state also preferred an appeal seeking enhancement of sentence against these accused.