Additional Sessions Judge A S Bhaisare observed that the prosecution had failed to bring home the charge of murder and disappearance of evidence against the accused, a labourer from Kopri village in Vashi falling under Navi Mumbai.
The judge, accepting the submissions of the defence counsel, in his recent judgement gave benefit of doubt to the accused and acquitted him of the charges under sections 302 (murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender) of the IPC.
On the night of August 9, 2013, the accused allegedly strangulated his wife to death and made it seem like a case of suicide, the prosecution told the court.
However, defence counsel Sukhdeo Pandhre pointed out to the court various lapses in the investigation, including absence of the sari used for strangulation, discrepancies in the medical report and also the identification parade which was not carried out in proper manner and in keeping with the regulations.