Court acquits 6 for lack of evidence in 2004 murder case

Pune, Jan 2 (UNI) A local court here today acquitted six persons of involvement in the 2004 murder of Shiv Sena Shakha Pramukh Atul Dake and his brother Tushar Dake, for lack of evidence.

Giving the accused benefit of doubt, the Fast Track Court Judge observed that the murder was committed but the charges against the six accused -- Vishal Kadam (24), Nilesh Kadam (22), Vinay Kadam, Yogesh Dore (28), Rahul Sonawane(27) and Bhiku Valmiki(31) -- were not sufficiently proved and hence it was incorrect to hold them responsible for the same.

The Dake brothers were in charge of a Shiv Sena Shakha at Sukh Sagar in Bibewadi area of the city. In the early morning of March 25, 2004, the accused had allegedly murdered Atul Dake and Tushar.

Atul's wife Pooja lodged a complaint with the police, but she later turned hostile during the trial.

Defence counsels Harshad Nimbalkar, Suresh Chandra Bhosale and Vijay Rao Mohite argued that of the 15 witnesses, around 14 were from the Shiv Sena and their account of the happenings were politically motivated. They also told the court that the identification parade was incorrect and the real murderers had escaped. Besides, the complainant, Pooja Dake, had turned hostile.

Public Prosecutor Vikas Shah, however, said he would file an appeal in the High Court.

UNI