Auto Driver Walks Free After Court Raises Doubts
A Thane court has acquitted a 54-year-old auto-rickshaw driver accused of trying to kill a man with a sharp weapon back in 2022, saying the prosecution couldn’t clearly establish what exactly led to the attack.
The ruling, delivered by Principal District and Sessions Judge S. B. Agrawal on October 15 and made public this Sunday, pointed out multiple inconsistencies between the FIR and the victim’s later testimony — leaving the case riddled with doubts.
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What the Case Was About
According to the prosecution, the accused — Jagdish alias Yagdev Bhikho Mahato, a resident of Thane — allegedly attacked Jabbar Abdul Rehman Malgudkar with a sharp weapon, injuring his head and hand in the Kopri area on November 3, 2022.
An FIR was filed under sections related to attempt to murder and illegal possession of weapons. The two men reportedly knew each other, as the victim worked at an auto washing centre frequented by the accused.
The prosecution said the pair had breakfast together that morning, after which they returned to Mahato’s house. The victim claimed that while he was watching a cricket match on his phone, the accused suddenly went into the kitchen, came back, and attacked him.
Judge Questions “Unclear Storyline”
But Judge Agrawal wasn’t convinced. The FIR mentioned a money dispute — that Mahato was upset because the victim had refused to give him a gold chain and ₹10,000 — details that were completely missing from the victim’s courtroom testimony.
“It’s hard to believe that after happily having breakfast together, the accused suddenly attacked the victim for no reason,” the court said. “This creates doubt about the genesis of the incident.”
The judge added that the prosecution’s version of events “didn’t add up,” calling it “highly unpalatable.”
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Witnesses and Medical Report Didn’t Match Up
Neighbouring witnesses gave statements that contradicted the victim’s claims, further weakening the prosecution’s case. On top of that, the medical report showed only three simple injuries, not serious enough to back an attempted murder charge.
The court concluded that the evidence just wasn’t strong enough to convict.
“Considering that the genesis of the incident is not properly made out, it does not appear safe to conclude that the prosecution has proved the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt,” the order stated.
Why This Matters
The verdict underscores a key principle of criminal law — when in doubt, courts lean toward acquittal. It also highlights how contradictions between the FIR and witness testimony can seriously damage a case.
For Mahato, the ruling marks the end of a three-year ordeal. But for the prosecution, it’s a reminder that every piece of evidence must connect — especially when someone’s freedom is on the line.
(With inputs from PTI)
