Delhi High Court Overturns Trial Court Verdict, Acquits Four Men in 2018 Abduction Case
The Delhi High Court has overturned a trial court’s decision, acquitting four men who were previously sentenced to life imprisonment for allegedly abducting and gang-raping a woman in 2018. The court found the investigation to be inadequate and the evidence insufficient to prove the prosecution’s case.
Lack of Strong Evidence Leads to Acquittal
The high court reviewed the appeal filed by the four men challenging the trial court’s verdict. It pointed out that neither the woman nor her parents made any statements that incriminated the accused. Additionally, the case lacked substantial evidence to support the prosecution’s claims.
The court noted that the woman had initially given a statement to the police on July 29, 2018, alleging abduction and forced physical relations. However, when she was later presented before the magistrate, she stated that she had left her home voluntarily. She repeated this version in court as well.
“In such circumstances, there is no clear indication that she was kidnapped, confined, or subjected to gang rape,” the court observed.
Contradictory Statements and Investigation Lapses
According to the prosecution, the woman was abducted and assaulted by the four men but later managed to escape and informed the police. However, during the trial, she changed her statement, saying she knew the accused as they were from her native village but did not make any allegations against them.
She acknowledged signing several documents but claimed that her complaint was made under pressure from her parents. The court found this contradiction significant, stating that she effectively disowned the contents of her own complaint.
Another major concern highlighted by the court was the lack of call detail records (CDR) from the woman’s mobile phone. The judges stated that obtaining these records could have provided crucial information, but the police failed to collect or present them. The absence of such evidence weakened the prosecution’s case.
DNA Report Not Conclusive
Regarding the DNA evidence, the court noted that while the woman was legally an adult at the time of the incident, the presence of semen on her leggings, matching the accused’s DNA, did not automatically prove sexual assault. The woman never testified to any forced act, making the DNA findings inconclusive.
The court criticized the investigation for its shortcomings, including the failure to present essential documents like the PCR form and mobile CDR records. It also pointed out that the DNA report was not discussed with the accused under Section 313 CrPC, rendering it ineffective as evidence.
Final Verdict
Considering all these factors, a bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain ruled in favor of the accused, allowing their appeal and acquitting them of all charges. The court emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation and solid evidence in legal proceedings.
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