A Thane court has acquitted 10 individuals accused of a 2016 murder, citing significant investigative errors or potential influence by witnesses. The accused faced charges of murder, rioting, and violations under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
In a 56-page judgment delivered on December 19, Special MCOCA Court Judge Amit M. Shete concluded that the prosecution and its witnesses failed to prove the murder charges beyond reasonable doubt. A copy of the order was made available on Monday.
The case involved the fatal stabbing of Ranjeet alias Bunty, a local security business operator, near a temple in Thane’s Napoli area on October 24, 2016. Despite extensive medical care, Bunty succumbed to his injuries. According to the prosecution, the attack was orchestrated by Akshay Nanda and others as part of a conspiracy, during which the victim’s gold chain and rings were stolen.
The defense contested the charges, highlighting discrepancies in the confessional statements, which the accused claimed were coerced. The court noted inconsistencies in the prosecution’s evidence and raised concerns about the investigation’s credibility.
Judge Shete remarked, “The evidence on record raises reasonable doubt about the prosecution’s account, including the eyewitness testimonies and the alleged motive. The investigation agency committed serious errors or was possibly misled by witnesses.”
The judgment emphasized that the prosecution and witnesses “failed to establish the murder charges convincingly,” granting the accused the benefit of doubt. Those acquitted include Akshay Nanda alias Nandu Patil (36), Rohit Ravi Patil (35), Anil alias Pappya Nathuram Shelar (33), Ajinkya alias Ajju Vijay Jadhav (33), Abhishek Gangadhar Nimbolkar (36), Anil alias Bablu Shivaji Shelar (34), Sachin Sopan Wadkar (44), Rushikesh Ramdas Patil (34), Bharat Khandu Patil (36), and Rupesh Rajesh Khandagale (46).
