Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 7: In a stinging blow to the Crime Branch, the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Jammu, Sonia Gupta on Tuesday dismissed the challan and acquitted all accused in the 2008 kerosene diversion/illegal trade case, holding that the prosecution failed to produce concrete evidence or any “connective link” to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The case originated from a Crime Branch input dated 26.10.2008 alleging illegal trade of kerosene oil-meant for domestic public distribution-being carried out in connivance with officials along Jammu-Srinagar NH-1A at places including Jhajjar Kotli, Manthal and Mand.
During the operation, multiple shops were raided and kerosene oil was recovered in large quantities from different outlets in the Tikri-Manthal belt, with seizure memos prepared on the spot.
In the judgment, the court observed that the “gist of the case” was not touched by the investigating agency, and that despite examining a lengthy list of witnesses over a protracted trial, the prosecution could not prove crucial questions framed by the court.
Concluding that the prosecution evidence failed to connect the accused with commission of the offence, the court ordered acquittal of all accused, discharged bail bonds and directed disposal of case property after the appeal period.
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