Court Acquits Five: Decade-Long Murder Case Collapses

After spending ten years in jail, five individuals accused of murder were ordered to be released on Saturday by a district and sessions court. The court found significant deficiencies in the police investigation, stating that the perpetrators' identities and the manner of the crime could not be definitively established. The case originated from an FIR filed on June 5, 2016, regarding the murder of Balwinder, who was allegedly intercepted, robbed, and shot while traveling to Noida. Police had arrested the five accused based on their investigation.

However, the court highlighted the absence of a Test Identification (TI) parade, crucial for witness confirmation. Furthermore, the autopsy report was unable to confirm death by firearm injury, instead noting a torn abdomen and eventual death from septic shock after an operation. The court noted discrepancies in witness statements, including the initial mention of a vehicle cleaner present during the incident, who later could not identify the accused. These factors collectively led to the acquittal of the five men on charges of murder and criminal conspiracy.