CourtVerdict- A Delhi court has acquitted eight men who were facing charges in the 2019 killing of a local businessman, citing grave shortcomings in the police investigation that undermined the prosecution’s case. The court said the record revealed unexplained illegal detention, questionable recoveries, and arrest documents that appeared to have been fabricated, issues the judge said could not be brushed aside.
Additional Sessions Judge Charu Aggarwal delivered the verdict while granting relief to Ajay Sharma, Chokhe Ram Dixit, Manish Sharma, Raj Kumar Maheshwari, Rohit Gogia, Raj Sharma, Giriraj Maheshwari, and Neeraj Bhanot. All eight had been accused of murdering businessman Vijender Sharma, who died after a violent assault in April 2019.
In a detailed order, the judge noted that the investigation raised serious concerns about the conduct of the investigating officers. The court observed that the material placed on record pointed to a pattern of misconduct and misuse of authority, which weakened the credibility of the case built by the prosecution.
The judgment highlighted that the manner in which the accused were detained and arrested was not supported by reliable documentation. According to the court, the prosecution failed to satisfactorily explain periods of custody that appeared to be unlawful, casting doubt on the fairness of the investigative process.
One of the central issues identified by the court was the recovery of alleged weapons and other evidence. The judge noted that these recoveries were surrounded by inconsistencies and were not corroborated in a manner that inspired confidence. As a result, the evidentiary value of these items was significantly diminished.
The court also took a serious view of arrest records that did not align with other material on file. The judgment stated that such discrepancies could not be treated as minor procedural lapses, as they went to the heart of whether the accused were lawfully apprehended and whether their rights were respected.
While pointing out the flaws in the investigation, the court made it clear that there was no ambiguity regarding the nature of Vijender Sharma’s death. The judge recorded a clear finding that the businessman was the victim of a homicidal assault.
According to the case record, Sharma was attacked with iron rods and wooden sticks on April 21, 2019. He later succumbed to his injuries. The court acknowledged the brutality of the incident but emphasized that a finding of homicide alone was not sufficient to secure a conviction without reliable evidence linking the accused to the crime.
After examining witness statements, documentary evidence, and the overall conduct of the investigation, the court concluded that it was not possible to hold the eight accused responsible for the offence. The judge said the prosecution had failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt, a standard required under criminal law.
The judgment underscored that courts cannot overlook serious investigative lapses, particularly when they affect the fairness of the trial and the rights of the accused. In such circumstances, the benefit of doubt must go to those facing charges.
Beyond acquitting the accused, the court directed the concerned authorities to examine the role of the investigating officers involved in the case. The judge said appropriate action should be taken in accordance with the law if misconduct is found.
This direction reflects the court’s concern that accountability must extend beyond the outcome of a single trial and address systemic issues that can erode public trust in law enforcement and the criminal justice process.
The ruling brings an end to a case that has been under scrutiny for several years, while also sending a strong message about the importance of lawful investigation and adherence to due process.
