Mumbai: The sessions court has acquitted a 52-year-old security guard in a three decades old robbery case registered at the Pydhonie police station. Ejaz Shaikh was arrested in March this year after being on the run since September 1993. The court observed that the prosecution failed to examine even a single witness.
Observation Made By The Court
“The incident occurred in 1992, more than 33 years ago. After such a long gap, it is highly impossible for the prosecution to secure any further evidence, especially in a city like Mumbai, which has a high mobility rate.”
According to the prosecution, the complainant’s father ran a jewellery shop named Mohanlal Joharmal. Due to the 1992 riots, the family had vacated the shop between December 7 and December 17. On December 21, the complainant was allegedly carrying Rs 1 lakh to the shop on a scooter when a group of men on a bike assaulted him and fled with the money. A case was filed the same day.
Shaikh was first arrested in June 1993 and granted bail in September that year. However, he absconded and was re-arrested only on March 4 this year. The trial began after he was granted bail again in April. Though a list of witnesses was submitted, the prosecution admitted it could not trace or produce them. The court said, “No material is placed on record against the accused... the complainant is not traceable.” With no evidence presented, Shaikh was acquitted.
