A sessions court in Maharashtra`s Thane has acquitted three youths, all aged 23, who were accused of killing a man over a mobile game in 2022, reported news agency PTI.

In his order on Thursday, Sessions Judge S B Agrawal noted major inconsistencies in the testimonies of the eyewitnesses, including the victim`s mother, and weaknesses in the evidence related to the recovery of weapons.

According to the prosecution, Sahil Baban Jadhav was killed by three persons, identified as Pranav Prabhakar Mali, Ronit Khandu Gaikwad and Sandesh Kakasaheb Dere, due to a previous quarrel over a PUBG game, reported PTI.

“Considering the overall aspects of the matter, the evidence of this witness cannot be taken at its face value as regard her witnessing the incident, without corroboration,” the judge said, referring to the testimony of Jadhav`s mother.

About the other purported eyewitness, the Thane court said their testimonies were deemed contradictory and doubtful.

The Thane court also described as “surprisingly doubtful” the testimony of a witness, who claimed he was assaulted by the accused after the murder. The court said his statement was recorded after a week, and his injury certificate was not produced, reported PTI.

Judge Agrawal acquitted the three accused, saying, “… it cannot be said that the prosecution has been successful in bringing home the guilt of the accused persons beyond reasonable doubt.”

Thane court acquits two businessmen of assaulting traffic cop, rash driving

In another case, a court in Maharashtra`s Thane city has acquitted two businessmen seven years after they were accused of rash driving and assaulting a traffic policeman, reported PTI.

In his order of October 7, Principal District and Sessions Court Judge S B Agrawal said the prosecution had failed to prove the charge against the accused, identified as Ravi Khimji Sampat (56) and Jagdish Keshavlal Bimane (43), reported PTI.

According to court papers, traffic policeman Nandkumar Dadasaheb Bhosale stopped the duo on the morning of February 23, 2018, accusing them of rash driving. The two threatened Bhosale, held his collar, pushed him and hit him in the chest, alleged the prosecution, reported PTI.

The court examined five prosecution witnesses, including Bhosale and his associate, but found the evidence insufficient to establish the guilt of the accused.

Judge Agrawal said that “other than the vague assertion that he was pushed by the accused persons, the other aspects have not been narrated by the informant (Bhosale)”, reported PTI.

Bhosale`s associate Anil Jadhav merely told the court that there was a minor incident and he took the informant to the hospital. Jadhav also submitted that he was not with Bhosale at the time of the incident, observed the court.

“Considering the evidence, it cannot be said that the prosecution has been successful in bringing home the guilt,” said the judge.

(With inputs from PTI)

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