Over eight years after being accused of sexual assault and criminal intimidation, two men, Mohammed Vasim and Bobby, were acquitted by a Delhi court, citing the prosecution’s failure to prove the charges.
Delhi court acquits two men in 2016 sexual assault case in the recent months Oct-2024, citing a lack of credible evidence and remarked that the prosecution “miserably failed to prove the charges” beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case involved Mohammed Vasim and Bobby, who were charged under Section 354A (sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Vasim faced additional charges under Sections 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).
The charges stemmed from an incident on the night of January 3, 2016, when the complainant, Chandra, alleged that the accused sexually harassed her as she was on her way to her mother’s house with neighbors. According to the prosecution, Vasim passed lewd comments, which led to a scuffle, and he later allegedly threatened the complainant with a revolver.
Additional Sessions Judge Vandana Jain, in an order dated October 1, 2024, highlighted inconsistencies in the evidence. The case relied heavily on the testimonies of the complainant and two eyewitnesses, Monika and Soni.
However, the complainant turned hostile during the trial and did not support the prosecution’s claims. Monika did not provide any incriminating evidence, and the court deemed Soni’s testimony unreliable and inconsistent.
“None of the three prosecution witnesses could prove the guilt of the accused persons beyond a reasonable doubt,” the court stated.
The acquittal underscores concerns about due process and highlights the importance of robust evidence in criminal proceedings. The judgment raises questions about the eight-year ordeal faced by the accused and the efficacy of the legal process in delivering timely justice.