Prosecution failure leads to acquittal of 2 alleged militants

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 30: Principal Sessions Judge Bhaderwah M K Sharma today acquitted two LeT militants namely Mushtaq Ahmed, son of Ghulam Ahmed Wani of Dandi Bhaderwah and Zaheer Abbas, son of Mohammad Asdullah Malik of Shiva Doda as prosecution failed to connect the accused with the commission of offences beyond all reasonable doubts.
The accused were allegedly the militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit and on February 5, 2006, they were arrested on the charges of harboring the terrorists who were involved in killings and destruction of property in the State.
During investigation, the accused made disclosure statements that they have concealed two hand grenades in the forest at village Dandi, which were accordingly recovered.
After going through the statements of witnesses, Principal Sessions Judge observed, “no recovery was effected from the accused Zahir Abbas nor this accused made any disclosure statement so there is nothing on record to connect the accused Zahir Abbas with the accusation of possessing the prohibited arm/ammunition”.
“What emerges is that the prosecution has failed to connect the accused with the commission of offences of which the accused are charged beyond all reasonable doubt. The challan therefore, fails”, the court said and acquitted the accused of the charges leveled against them.