Fast Track Court acquits rape accused

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 24: The Fast Track Court here today acquitted the accused of rape and other related charges levelled against them.
As per the case registered at Police Station Channi Himmat, Jammu in FIR number 51/2016, the accused Mukesh Matoo son of Nanak Matoo, Sonu alias Ranja son of Buta Ram—both residents of Rajiv Colony, Bari Brahmana, district Samba and Irshad Ali alias Shaddu, son of Mohd Saleem, resident of Teli Basti, Bari Brahmna, district Samba were charged for offences under sections 376/342/323/511 RPC.
After listening arguments of Counsels from both defence and prosecution, the Presiding Office (Judge) of Fast Track Court Jammu, Khalil Choudhary said that there was no concrete evidence on record connecting the accused with the commission of offence.
He further mentioned that the evidence of witnesses is not corroborative leaving doubt in the prosecution case.
“I am unhesitant to record that prosecution evidence cannot be said to be definite, positive consistent and coherent so far as the case against the accused is concerned. A clear room for doubt is left out in the prosecution evidence,” the Judge said.
He concluded that prosecution case fails and the accused Mukesh Matoo and Sonu alias Ranja are accordingly acquitted of the charges levelled against them.
The Court further stated that the accused Mukesh Matoo who was in custody is ordered to be released forthwith and Superintendent of the Jail concerned be intimated accordingly and accused is relieved from bail and surety bond executed.
The Judge also said that the accused Irshad Ali alias Shaddu absent himself from the trial of the case and proceedings under section 512 CrPC was initiated against him on January 12, 2022 and the search warrant was issued against him and the accused was still absconding.
The Judge directed to recall the file from the record as and when the accused gets arrested and produced him before the Court for further trial.