CBI Court Clears 56 Accused in 2016 Attack on BJP Leader's Residence
A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court located in Panchkula delivered a significant verdict on Friday, acquitting all 56 individuals who were facing charges related to the violent 2016 assault on the home of Captain Abhimanyu. At the time of the incident, Abhimanyu served as the Finance Minister of Haryana and was a prominent senior leader within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The attack occurred amidst the widespread Jat reservation agitation and violence that shook the region.
Compromise and Hostile Witnesses Lead to Acquittal
According to sources familiar with the legal proceedings, the acquittal was primarily driven by a compromise reached between the complainant, representing Captain Abhimanyu's family, and the accused parties. This settlement resulted in several key prosecution witnesses turning hostile during the trial, significantly weakening the case against the defendants. As of the latest reports, an official copy of the detailed judgment has not yet been made publicly available, leaving some aspects of the court's reasoning pending further clarification.
Details of the 2016 Attack and Investigation
The case originated from a formal complaint filed by Captain Abhimanyu's family members, who alleged that a large and aggressive mob targeted their residence during the peak of the Jat unrest. The complaint detailed how the attackers not only assaulted the property but also set it ablaze, leading to extensive damage. Fortunately, family members and other individuals present at the home at the time managed to escape without physical harm. However, the mob proceeded to loot and destroy property valued at crores of rupees, which included substantial amounts of cash, valuable jewellery, and other personal belongings.
During the subsequent investigation, several young individuals were taken into custody and spent a considerable period detained as the probe unfolded. Initially, the case was registered at a local police station in Rohtak before being transferred to the CBI for a more comprehensive and centralized investigation, highlighting the seriousness and complexity of the allegations.
