Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 2: The Principal Sessions Judge, Anantnag Tahir Khurshid Raina, has acquitted Bilal Ahmad Sofi of Kanelwan Bijbehara, who had been facing trial for the alleged murder of his wife in 2017, giving him the benefit of doubt after holding that the prosecution failed to establish charges beyond reasonable doubt.
The case arising from FIR No. 20/2017 registered at Police Station Anantnag under Section 302 RPC following a complaint by the victim’s father, Gh. Mohammad Bhat, alleging that Sofi had beaten and assaulted his daughter Sumi Jan—who was three months pregnant—leading to her death at SKIMS, Soura.
The prosecution relied on witness statements claiming that the accused had suspected his wife’s character and attacked her at her parental home, plucking her hair and kicking her abdomen, after which she succumbed to injuries.
During the trial, the prosecution examined 18 witnesses, including family members who alleged that Sofi beat the deceased and prevented her immediate medical treatment. Medical witnesses confirmed that the deceased was pregnant, but post-mortem doctors did not find external injuries consistent with homicidal assault, except hair found plucked from her scalp.
Sofi, represented by senior advocate M.D. Shawl, denied the charges and claimed innocence, arguing that contradictions in witness testimonies and lack of medical corroboration demolished the prosecution’s case.
Principal Sessions Judge Anatnag Tahir Khurshid Raina noted several inconsistencies, including contradictory statements by key witnesses, absence of injuries on vital parts of the deceased’s body, and failure of the prosecution to conclusively link the accused to homicidal assault.
The Court also observed that circumstantial evidence such as recovery of hair and allegations of suspicion over character were insufficient to sustain a conviction without clear medical or ocular proof.
Benefit of doubt, which forms the foundation of criminal jurisprudence, must go to the accused,” the Court held, while acquitting Bilal Ahmad Sofi of all charges and ordering his release, subject to him not being required in any other case. (JNF) |
