2022 Khargone communal violence: The terror of that night of Khargone is still alive in the minds of people. But in the legal pages, the accused of this violence are now completely free. A sessions court of Madhya Pradesh has acquitted all the 11 accused of this violence. This decision of the court once again proved that the proceedings of the court are not based on claims and emotions, but on the basis of concrete evidence.
What is the whole matter of Khargone violence?
Now let us explain this entire matter in detail. On April 10, 2022, Khargone city of Madhya Pradesh was immersed in the celebrations of Ram Navami. But by evening this atmosphere of happiness suddenly turned into shouting. According to the prosecution, between 6 pm and 9 pm, a mob took to the streets in Bhatwadi area, carrying stones, swords and allegedly petrol bombs. Houses were pelted with stones, vehicles were burnt. Within no time the entire area was engulfed in the fire of communal violence.
According to the report of Indian Express, a person named Idris Khan had died in this violence. A day after the violence, the district administration had demolished 16 houses and 29 shops in five areas of the city. At that time, the then Home Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Narottam Mishra had said, ‘We will turn the house from where the stones came into a pile of stones.’
Eyewitnesses retracted their testimony
Police arrested 11 people for spreading violence and vandalism. After this the court proceedings started. When the court’s decision came after about four years, the entire claim of the prosecution fell apart like a pack of cards. 8 out of 11 prosecution witnesses refused to identify the accused.
Could not even provide forensic report
Apart from this, the forensic lab report also could not confirm the use of petrol bomb or any explosive whereas the police had claimed that the mob had attacked with petrol bomb and dangerous explosives. Giving the benefit of doubt, the court honorably acquitted all the 11 accused. When the witnesses turned hostile and even the lab report could not confirm the case, this was the only option available to the court.
All accused acquitted due to lack of evidence
Fourth Additional Sessions Judge Mukesh Nath said that the prosecution could not prove the charges leveled against the accused. The court said that the entire case rested only on the testimony of eyewitnesses. This testimony was recorded 51 days after the incident and no reason was given for it. Moreover, the name of that witness was not mentioned anywhere in the FIR or in the original complaint, hence the court acquitted all the 11 accused.
The court acquitted these 11 people
Among the 11 accused acquitted by the court, Ibadat, Sadiq, Abdullah, Saheb alias Sahib, Shahryar, Faizal, Azam, Shabbir, Imran, Mustaq and Rajiq. Are included. The police had accused all of them of rioting, arson, forceful entry into the house and crimes under the Explosive Substances Act. But the court acquitted all these accused due to lack of evidence.
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