Aishwarya Rathore-
Published on: September 8, 2021, at 15:21 IST
The Orissa High Court on Tuesday acquitted Gautam Hazira and Anil Sony, who were sentenced to life imprisonment for their alleged involvement in the abducting of two textile workers for ransom in 2010.
The Division Bench observed, “The Trial Court, without analysing the discrepancies and doubts in the case of the prosecution, has mechanically come to the conclusion that the guilt of the appellants is proved beyond reasonable doubt.”
The Court further remarked, “All the five witnesses failed to inspire confidence in the prosecution version.”
On May 27, 2010, Abhimanyu Mahuri and Pintu Pradhan were abducted by two men who made them unconscious with spiked cold drinks and took them to an unknown place in West Bengal and demanded a ransom from their family members.
On June 4, 2010, Railway Police rescued the victims from Dolahat and brought them to Balasore, along with Gautam Hazira and Anil Sony, who were arrested for their alleged involvement.
Following convictions under Sections 364 (A) and 392 of the Indian Penal Code, the Fast-Track Court of Ad hoc Additional Sessions Judge, Balasore, sentenced them to Life Imprisonment.
Later, Gautam and Anil appealed to the High Court.
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