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High Court Overturns Murder Convictions in Goa
10 Dec
Summary
- Three individuals were acquitted by the Bombay High Court in the 2017 Calangute murder.
- The court cited significant flaws in the prosecution's case, including identification parades.
- Eyewitness testimony was deemed unreliable due to intoxication and a key witness passing away.
In a significant turn of events, the Bombay High Court has acquitted three individuals, Joseph Sequeira, Leon Fernandes, and Mahesh Rampal, in connection with the 2017 Calangute fish market murder case. The acquittals overturn the life sentences previously handed down by the district court in 2017. The division bench found that the prosecution had failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.
The court identified several critical weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence. The reliability of the test identification parade was questioned, with the bench noting that no valid reason was provided for delays in its execution. Furthermore, the recovery of weapons and clothing was deemed questionable, as these items were found in easily accessible locations rather than being concealed.
