A court in Madhya Pradesh has acquitted 11 men accused of committing communal violence during the Ram Navami Procession on April 10, 2020, in Khargone. The Fourth Additional Session Judge Mukesh Nath said, and Live Law reported, that the prosecution failed to prove the alleged offenses against the men beyond reasonable doubt.
The prosecution alleged that a group of Muslim men attacked Hindu houses by pelting stones and petrol bombs, resulting in alleged damage to residential properties, creating a threat to people’s safety. The group of men were booked for offenses that included trespassing, damaging property, using explosives, and acts that could put lives in danger under the IPC and the Explosive Substances Act.
The court noted that the evidence against the accused was not strong enough to prove them guilty. It noted that eight of the 13 witnesses either changed their statements or they did not support the prosecution’s claims. Additionally, the court noted that they failed to identify the accused in court.
The court further noted that the prosecution’s case was based mainly on the statement of one eyewitness, which was recorded 51 days after the incident without explanation for the delay. The eyewitnesses were also not mentioned in the FIR or the original complaint.
Furthermore, the court said that no identification test was conducted to confirm whether the witness could recognize the accused. The forensic report did not have any petroleum material and raised doubts over the claim that petrol bombs were used. The court said that there was not enough evidence to prove the accused had spent 462 to 827 days in prison.
Following the 2022 incident, a Khargone resident filed a petition in the High Court after his property was demolished by the state authorities. He alleged that the demolition was carried out against him because of his Muslim identity and was an act of revenge. The case is still being heard by the High Court.
