5 acquitted in a 13-year-old murder case

Mumbai, Aug 20 (UNI) Thirteen years after the incident, five people were acquitted by a sessions court in a murder case here today, for want of evidence.

While pronouncing the judgement, additional Sessions Court Judge V B Kamkhedkar noted, ''No substantial evidence has been brought before the court against Pradip Laxman Davare, Suresh Shinde, Shravan Namdev Bhujbal, Vinod Surve and Mangesh Mane to hold them guilty in this murder case.'' Shantilal Karkastya (28), an Ahmedabad-based businessman was murdered on Apr 3, 1994 at Bhandup in the eastern suburbs of the city.

The Judge further observed, ''The prosecution has already discharged one Dasrath Sonu Shinde. While three prime accused, Kishore Kadam, Hindurao Kamble and Santosh Salunke are dead. Most of the witnesses who have been examined by the prosecution have turned hostile. Considering the evidence brought before the court, all five people are acquitted.'' According to the prosecution, thirteen years ago the deceased was allegedly picked up from Vikhroli by Kishor Kadam (now dead) and others who took him in an autorickshaw to Sonapur in Bhandup and brutally stabbed him.

An injured Karkestya was rushed to the Mulund hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

UNI